Probate paperwork for San Diego families, handled close to home.
We prepare and file your probate documents with the San Diego Superior Court at your direction, for a flat fee. We meet with you by appointment, and we track every deadline and examiner note until the estate closes.
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Why a San Diego LDA instead of an online service
Many probate document services work statewide from hundreds of miles away. We work here, with this court, and you can sit across the table from the person preparing your documents.
We're local
We're based in San Diego and meet with you by appointment, at a time and place that works for you, so you can hand over the will, the death certificate, and the statements in person.
We work with San Diego's probate notes
Before each hearing, San Diego probate examiners review the file and post notes. We check them, prepare the supplements you direct, and file them before your hearing date.
We follow the local rules
San Diego Superior Court applies its own local probate rules and filing practices on top of state law. Documents prepared with those in mind are less likely to be continued.
Complete probate, start to finish
A formal California probate moves through three phases and usually takes 9 to 18 months in San Diego County. Our flat fee covers all three, with document preparation and case management for a 12-month term.
Quoted before any work begins.
-
1Months 1 to 3
Open the estate
- Petition for Probate and notice to heirs
- Newspaper publication arranged
- Probate notes checked, supplements filed
- Order and Letters prepared for the court
$1,000 of the flat fee, due at the start of this phase
-
2Months 3 to 9
Administer the estate
- Inventory and Appraisal, coordinated with the probate referee
- Notice to creditors and claim tracking
- Four-month creditor period monitored
$1,000 of the flat fee, due at the start of this phase
-
3Months 9 to 12+
Close the estate
- Petition for Final Distribution and waivers
- Probate notes checked, supplements filed
- Order for distribution, receipts, and discharge
$995 of the flat fee, due at the start of this phase
Included in every full-service phase
- Scheduled meetings with your LDA
- Document preparation from the information you provide
- Probate notes review and up to two supplements per petition
- Deadline and hearing-date tracking
Court e-filing and mailed notices are optional add-ons: $99 per petition filed and $69 per mailing.
What the base price assumes
One petitioner, one California property, up to five beneficiaries, bond and accounting waived, and creditors paid before the final petition. If the estate has more, these apply:
Shorter court procedures and single documents
Not every estate needs full probate. California offers simpler procedures for smaller estates and for property passing to a surviving spouse. Which procedure applies is your decision; an attorney can advise you if you're unsure.
| Service | Flat fee |
|---|---|
| Small Estate AffidavitProbate Code §13100, for personal property up to $208,850 | $399 |
| Petition to Determine Succession to Primary ResidenceA home worth up to $750,000, for deaths on or after April 1, 2025 | $1,499 |
| Spousal or Domestic Partner Property PetitionForm DE-221, for property passing to a surviving spouse or registered domestic partner | $1,499 |
| Ex Parte Letters of Special AdministrationRush filing when urgent action is needed before regular Letters | $500 |
| Report of Sale and Petition Confirming Sale of Real Property | $1,495 |
| Notice of Proposed Action | $275 |
| Status Report of Administration | $450 |
| Court e-filingOptional add-on, per petition. Mailed notices are $69 per mailing. | $99 |
| Probate notes supplement for a case you already filedStuck with examiner notes on your own filing? We can prepare the supplement at your direction. | $275 |
Court and third-party costs
These are paid to the court and others, not to us, and are the same whoever prepares your documents.
- Court filing fee for each petition, about $435 to $550
- Newspaper publication of the notice, about $150 to $350
- Probate referee commission, 0.1% of appraised non-cash assets, $150 minimum
- Certified copies of Letters
We give you a written estimate of expected costs at the start.
Compared with statutory attorney fees
California sets probate attorney fees by the gross value of the estate, including the full value of a home before the mortgage (Probate Code §10810). The executor may claim an equal amount.
Statutory attorney fees only, before any extraordinary fees or court costs. Our fee assumes the base case described above.
What we do, and what we can't
With an LDA, you represent yourself in court and we handle the paperwork. That keeps costs low, and it's worth understanding before you start.
We do
- Prepare court documents from the information and instructions you give us
- File them and mail required notices
- Track deadlines, hearing dates, and probate notes
- Provide published court self-help information
- Refer you to San Diego probate attorneys when you need one
We don't
We don't give legal advice, choose forms or procedures for you, or appear in court. You attend the hearings as the petitioner. If the estate involves a will contest, disputed creditor claims, or disagreement among heirs, you need an attorney, and we're glad to refer you.
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer to probate an estate in California?
California law lets the personal representative handle routine, uncontested probate as a self-represented petitioner. Contested matters, such as will contests or litigation with creditors, require an attorney.
Do I have to go to court?
Yes. As the petitioner, you attend the hearings on your petitions. Most uncontested hearings are brief, and we make sure your paperwork and any supplements are filed ahead of time.
What are probate notes?
Before a hearing, a San Diego Superior Court probate examiner reviews the file and posts notes about anything missing or incorrect. If the notes aren't cleared, the hearing may be continued. Our full-service phases include reviewing notes and preparing supplements at your direction.
How long will it take?
Most San Diego County probates run 9 to 18 months. The four-month creditor claim period alone sets a minimum, and hearing dates depend on the court's calendar.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
A certified death certificate, the original will if there is one, a list of the assets and debts you know about, and names and addresses of family members and beneficiaries.
How does payment work?
You pay as your case moves forward. Each phase is paid before we begin work on it. The complete probate fee of $2,995 is split across the three phases: $1,000, $1,000, and $995, each due at the start of its phase.
Talk with us about the estate
A free intake call covers what our services include, our fees, and the documents we'd need from you. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
MANDATORY CALIFORNIA BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE COMPLIANCE DISCLAIMER:
SD Thrive Solutions (SDTS) is a Legal Document Assistant, registered and bonded in the State of California, County of San Diego. SDTS is neither a law firm nor an attorney. SDTS is prohibited from providing legal advice; we cannot select legal forms for clients, and we cannot represent you in court.
We prepare legal documents at the specific direction of our clients pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 6400. I am not an attorney. I can only provide self help services at your specific direction.'
Within this site, SDTS provides resource links directing you to procedural information and forms that have been made available to you by government agencies. The intent is to provide you with self-help resources that have relevance to your legal matter. These resources do not provide legal advice or legal opinion and should not be relied on as such.
SDTS’ services provide professional, accurate, self-help document preparation strictly under your specific directions. If you require legal advice or representation, please consult a licensed attorney.