At A People’s Choice, we can help you file probate in Butte County. Our legal document preparers can help you complete the documents you need to start and finish the probate process. When you use our non-attorney probate services, you will avoid paying the expensive statutory probate fees that probate attorneys charge. In California, most people can start and complete the probate of their loved one’s estate without hiring an attorney. Probate matters are usually settled within one year. The process primarily consists of filing legal documents and attending limited court hearings. It is rare for probate disputes to arise throughout the process. Read on to learn more about how to file probate in Butte County.
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We Help to File Probate in Butte County!
Important Money Saving Tip!
The average house value in Butte County is $317,400 and values are expected to increase approximately 8.6% within the next year. Probate attorneys charge statutory fees based on the gross value of the estate, starting at 4%, on a tiered scale. For example, attorneys fees for a $300,000 estate filed in Butte County would be $9,000! By using the flat fee services of an experienced probate legal document assistant, the estate can save thousands of dollars.
Where to File Probate in Butte County
Although Butte County has two courthouses, the Butte County Probate Court is located at the following location:
North Butte County Courthouse
Superior Court of California, County of Butte
1775 Concord Avenue
Chico, CA 95928
The probate division at the North Butte County Courthouse can be reached by phone at (530) 532‑7017.
The Butte County Probate court hears matters involving probate, conservatorship, and guardianship. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Information that is available through a particular court’s website can vary drastically. Small courts provide little to no access to case information. Other courts make probate case information very accessible. If you file probate in Butte County, you can access tentative rulings on your probate case through the court’s website. On the other hand, case information is also available through a unique portal.
Butte County Probate Rules
Review the Butte County local probate rules before filling the probate petition. The local court rules will provide you with detailed court filing procedures. If you are using the professional probate services of A People’s Choice, keep in mind we provide step-by-step case management assistance to our customers.
Butte County is an efiling court. Efiling means that probate documents can be electronically filed through an approved efiling provider such as Odyssey. Having the ability to efile probate documents for our customers is a great advantage. Furthermore, efiling documents makes the probate process more efficient and streamlined.
Adjudicated Newspapers for Butte County
Paradise Post, Chico Enterprise-Record and Oroville Mercury-Register are three newspapers used to publish the required probate notices. Fees will vary from newspaper to newspaper. You can arrange publication of legal notices by email: NorCalAds@dfmnorcal.com or calling 800-206-7355.
Butte County Probate Examiner
You can access Probate examiner notes and tentative rulings through the court’s website.
Butte County Probate Referee
Jane Dolan is the sole probate referee serving Butte County and performs all of the inventory valuations for probate cases filed in Butte County. The role of the probate referee is to value all of the decedent’s non-cash assets as of the date the decedent died. Ms. Dolan will complete this valuation on a formal Inventory and Appraisal document prepared by our office. Questions regarding the inventory can be directed to Ms. Dolan as follows:
Jane Dolan
389 Connors Court, Suite A
Chico, CA 95926
Phone: (530) 342-4295
FAX: (530) 342-1994
e-mail: jdolan@sbcglobal.net
How to File Probate in Butte County
To file probate in Butte County, file the probate petition, all supplemental documents and the decedent’s will (if there is one) at the Butte County Probate Court in Chico. Although filing the probate petition starts the process, there are many steps to complete probate. The process will take between 9-12 months. Ultimately, after the completion of all the steps, the personal representative will be able to distribute the decedent’s estate according to the terms of the will or California’s intestate succession laws (if there was no will.)
The personal representative need to have the ability to carry out their duties during the lengthy probate process. In this regard, the court will issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Letters are a critical part of the probate process as they allow the personal representative to act in the capacity of the decedent.
Once Letters are issued, the estate representative must take steps to complete an inventory and appraisal of the decedent’s estate and appraise all non-monetary assets. As mentioned above, this valuation is done by the Probate Referee. During the process, the estate’s representative will also need to notify all creditors and interested parties about the probate proceedings. Probate requires the liquidation of assets, if necessary, to pay outstanding taxes, debts, and creditors. In the end, the personal representative will distribute all remaining assets to beneficiaries and heirs. Lastly, the court will formally relieve the personal representative of their duties.
File Probate in Butte County With A People’s Choice
You can save yourself headaches, stress, and a lot of money by hiring A People’s Choice for your probate needs. Using our services will allow you to save thousands of dollars in probating your loved one’s estate. Probate attorney statutory fees continue to increase as housing values escalate in California. Don’t take our word for it. Calculate your exact savings using our probate calculator! Working with a legal document preparer at A People’s Choice guarantees you will spend the lowest amount possible to probate your loved one’s estate. Contact us through our website or call 800-747-2780 for more information on how to file probate in Butte County.
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