Last verified 2026-07-20; facts checked against the primary sources below

How probate works in Tehama County

Last verified: July 20, 2026

The short answer: File Tehama probate matters with the Civil Clerk at 1740 Walnut Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080. The probate line is (530) 529-6104; courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Probate e-filing is available for initial and later filings but is permissive under the current local rule.

Wills and codicils cannot be e-filed. Deliver the physical original to the clerk and use the electronic system only for eligible accompanying papers.

Tehama County probate at a glance

Filing and the original will

Tehama accepts new and subsequent probate cases through Odyssey eFileCA. The current local rule permits rather than mandates probate e-filing. Eligible envelopes incur the court's published $3.50 transaction fee in addition to any provider charge, subject to fee-waiver and government exemptions.

The local rule excludes wills and codicils, bonds, subpoenaed documents, exhibits, writs, and abstracts from electronic filing. Deliver the original will physically and confirm receipt. For paper filing, provide the original and the appropriate number of copies.

Hearing review and remote appearance

The court does not publish a routine decedent-estate examiner-note or probate tentative-ruling service. Confirm the assigned hearing through the Court Hearings Portal and the Civil Clerk.

The current remote-appearance table lists Department 5 probate participation through Webex. A remote link does not itself waive the notice requirements in California Rule of Court 3.672 or a judge's direction to appear in person. Tehama also warns that official reporters cover only selected civil calendars; arrange a reporter when a verbatim record is needed and none is provided.

Forms, fees, and local quirks

The county points filers to statewide probate forms; its probate page concentrates local forms on guardianship and conservatorship. No separate opening surcharge was identified beyond the $3.50 e-file envelope charge and the statewide $435 first-petition fee.

Tehama County's practical checklist:

• File through the Civil Clerk at the single Red Bluff courthouse.
• Choose e-filing or paper, but physically submit the original will.
• Keep bonds, exhibits, writs, and other excluded documents out of the e-file envelope.
• Budget for the published $3.50 envelope charge when e-filing.
• Confirm the calendar because no probate-note service is published.
• Follow Department 5's Webex and notice instructions and arrange a reporter if needed.

Court procedures change; verify filing, fees, and hearing details with Tehama County Superior Court before acting.