How to

• Simplified Probate Procedures 
• Probate Process Diagram 
• Administering the Probate Estate 
• Closing and Distributing the Estate 
• California Judges’ Benchguide: Probate Administration (PDF, external)

Forms

• Probate Forms (All) 
• Probate Forms and Rules, Alameda Superior Court
  This page contains packets and individual forms to file in Alameda County, including the packets listed below.  Please check the courts website to get the current version of any forms included in the packets.
• Probate Conservatorship Packet (.zip, external) 15MB This packet contains the Judicial Council forms required to file a petition for Appointment of Probate Conservator or person, estate, or person and estate.
• Temporary Conservatorship Packet (.zip, external) 3MB
  This packet contains the Judicial Council forms required for a temporary conservatorship, intended for urgent situations only.
• Probate Guardianship Packet (.zip, external) 20MB
  This packet contains the Judicial Council forms required to file a a Guardianship of person, estate, or person and estate matter.
• Temporary Guardianship Packet (.zip) 6MB
  This packet contains the Judicial Council forms required to request a temporary Guardianship, intended for urgent or emergency situations only.
• Termination of Guardianship Packet (.zip) 4MB
  This packet contains the Judicial Council forms required to terminate a Guardianship.
• Probate Packet – Decedent’s Estate (.zip) 8MB
  This packet contains the Judicial Council forms required to initiate a formal probate proceeding for a decedent’s estate.
  Probate Small Estate Affidavit Packet (.zip) 3MB
  This packet contains forms for qualifying Small Estate Affidavits.
• Petition for Probate Instructions 
• Affidavit of Death/Small Estate Affidavit forms and instructions from the Sacramento County Law Library

Library Books

• • How to Probate an Estate in California, KFC205.Z9 .N57 2023, at the reference desk.  Also available as an eBook through Nolo Press (Ebsco)
  • California Decedent Estate Practice, KFC210 .C35 2009, shelf 110A.  Also available as an eBook through CEB OnLaw.
  • Rutter Group: Probate, KFC205 .R671, shelf 110A.  Also available as an eBook on Westlaw
  • Probate Procedures: Counter to Courtroom, KFC205 .C68, shelf 108B

Free Legal Help

All for the Family Legal Clinic, Inc.

3137 Castro Valley Blvd, #210, Castro Valley, CA, 94546  (510) 999-7732

Providing equal access to justice for low-income and modest-means litigants in the Bay Area. Basic Estate Planning (Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorneys, and health care directives), and assistance with probate for small estates.

Community Legal Assistance Saturday Program (CLASP)

CLASP offers a clininc on the first Monday of the month, except for January and July.  This clinic is open to the public.  Volunteer attorneys meet with individuals for 15-20 minute consultations.  CLASP flyer (PDF)

Hire an Attorney

ACBA Lawyer Referral Service

• • Phone: 510-302-2222 Option 4
  • The referral service will match you with a local attorney for a 30-minute consultation.  There is a $40.00 administrative fee for this attorney referral. Attorneys charge $200 – 400/hour for services.
  • Clients can also self-book consultations online

BALI – Bay Area Legal Incubator

• • Address: 125 12^th St. Oakland, CA Mezzanine Level
  • Affordable legal services. Some attorneys offer sliding scale fees.  In-take form available on website, and you can also read the profiles and get contact information for the BALI attorneys.

California State Bar

The California State Bar lists basic information about all attorneys registered to practice law in the state of California.  In addition, the site also provides an attorney referral service for the public to find qualified attorneys in their county.

Updated 4.13.2026