Probate · Self-Help

WELCOME TO THE LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE SELF-HELP WEB SITE.

This Web site will provide help with Probate matters in general, but focuses on areas where parties tend to be self-represented (without an attorney to help them). This site is not intended as a do-it-yourself guide, but the information and links contained on this Web site are intended to help you help yourself through the court system and probate matters.

You may find it difficult to proceed without an attorney familiar with California Probate law. Only a licensed attorney (not this site) can give legal advice. If you do not understand any information or if you have trouble filling out any of the forms located here, see an attorney for help.

Click here to find California Courts free or low cost legal help. Click here to contact the Los Angeles County Bar SmartLaw referral service. Other help finding low-income legal assistance is at http://www.lawhelpcalifornia.org/CA/index.cfm.

Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Decedent’s Estates Packets can be purchased at the forms window in Room 112 of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central District, and at most other forms windows in Superior Courthouses.

A list of self-help publications is available from the Sacramento Public Law Library. When at the site, click on Probate Law in the left column for a list of self-help books.

NOTE: The Los Angeles Superior Court offers free "Orientation & Training for Non-Professional Conservators" and "Conservatorship Accounting Training for Non-Professional Conservators" on a monthly basis. Click here for information and instructions about Non-Professional Conservators Training.

Some of the resources found on the Probate Self Help Web site may be viewed and printed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download the application for free from Adobe's Web Site.


Self Help



Probate Guardianship/Conservatorship Information Sheet
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The Probate Guardianship/Conservatorship Information Sheet is provided as a community service. It may not be comprehensive nor is it guaranteed to be accurate (prices and services change without notice). The Los Angeles Superior Court and the Probate Division do not endorse and are not responsible for the quality of service received from these agencies. Click here to view the Probate Guardianship/Conservatorship Information Sheet.



Glossary of Probate Terms
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Click here to view the Probate Glossary.


Conservatorship
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Click here to view the Conservatorship Handbook.

Click here for duties of a Conservator.

Additional information regarding conservatorship may be found at the Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center Web site.


Guardianship
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Information regarding guardianship may be found at the Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center Web site.

There are numerous guardianship clinics around the court to help you. Please contact your local courthouse for the nearest clinic, their location and hours. For Probate court locations and contact phone numbers, click on the 'General Information' link in the left side navigation bar.

Guardianship Clinic Court Location Hours
Guardianships Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Room 230
Mon. - Wed., 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis
Conservatorship/Elder Abuse Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Room 426
Mon. - Wed., 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis
South Central District
(There may also be help during the guardianship calendar)
Compton Courthouse
Self-Help Center
Wed., 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
South District Guardianship Assistance Long Beach Courthouse
Law Library
2nd and 4th Thurs. of each month, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Southwest District Guardianship Assistance Torrance Courthouse
Self-help room
Wed., 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
East District Guardianship Assistance Pomona Courthouse South
Self-help room
Wed., 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Northeast District Guardianship Assistance Pasadena Courthouse
4th Floor
3rd Thurs. of each month, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Northwest District Guardianship Assistance Van Nuys Courthouse East
Cafeteria
Fri., 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.





Creditor's Claims
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Click here to view information on Creditor’s Claims.


Transfer Of Small Estates Without Probate
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Click here to view information on the Transfer of Small Estates Without Probate.


Estate Planning
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General information on estate planning is available from The State Bar of California’s Web site. To view a topic, click on one of the links below:





Probate Forms Packets
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Filing actions in Superior Court may require many forms. To assist you in finding these forms, Los Angeles Superior Court has created forms packets. These packets are available at all Court filing windows or you may print the packet cover sheet listed below and print the forms from the California Courts and Los Angeles Superior Court Forms Web sites.

To view a topic, click on one of the links below:




Links to Other Probate Self-Help Web Sites
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Other Self-Help Web sites contain Probate Information. Click on one of the links below: