File Probate in Placer County
Last Updated: March 31, 2026
IN THIS GUIDE:
Introduction to Filing Probate in Placer County
Placer County spans an extraordinary range of California landscapes — from the booming suburban cities of Roseville and Rocklin along Interstate 80, through the historic gold rush foothills of Auburn, Colfax, and Foresthill, and up into the Sierra Nevada to the lakefront communities around Tahoe City and Kings Beach. Estates in Placer County reflect that diversity. They include newer residential homes in master-planned communities, foothill acreage and rural parcels, Tahoe-area vacation properties and lakefront real estate, agricultural holdings, and business interests tied to the region’s growing economy.
When a Placer County resident passes away owning assets in their individual name — outside of a trust, joint tenancy, or beneficiary designation — formal probate is often required before those assets can transfer to heirs. Filing probate in Placer County means working with the Civil Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Placer, at the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse in Roseville. This guide gives you everything you need to navigate the process correctly from the start.
When Is Probate Required in Placer County?
California law requires probate when a decedent owned assets in their individual name — outside of a trust, joint tenancy, or beneficiary designation — with a total gross value above the current statutory threshold of $208,850 (effective April 1, 2025). Smaller estates may qualify for a simplified affidavit procedure under Probate Code §13100. Property held in a funded living trust, jointly owned real estate, and accounts with named beneficiaries typically transfer outside of probate.
What This Placer County Probate Guide Covers
This guide covers the Placer County probate court — its location, departments, and key contacts — where to file probate in Placer County, e-filing requirements, local rules, publication requirements, probate examiner notes in Placer County, the assigned probate referee, and the full probate timeline in Placer County. Probate & More provides professional non-attorney probate document preparation for Placer County families at a flat fee — typically saving thousands compared to statutory attorney fees.
Every California county runs probate a little differently — local rules, filing locations, examiner procedures, and publication requirements all vary. If you are settling an estate outside Placer County, our California Probate by County guide has county-specific details for all 58 counties.
Probate Court in Placer County
The Superior Court of California, County of Placer, handles all probate matters filed in Placer County. Probate cases are filed and heard exclusively through the Civil Division of the court. The Civil Division handles decedents’ estates, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianship matters.
All probate petitions in Placer County are filed at the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse, located at 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville. This is the primary filing location for the Civil Division. Self-represented filers go to the Civil Division clerk’s window during posted office hours. Attorneys must file electronically under Local Rule 10.27.
Placer County also maintains a Historic Courthouse at 101 Maple Street in Auburn, which serves Departments 1 through 6. However, probate cases are filed and processed through the Civil Division at the Gibson Courthouse in Roseville. Additionally, the Tahoe City courthouse does not accept probate filings — those documents must be filed in Roseville.
Probate Calendar Notes and Online Access
Placer County Superior Court posts tentative rulings and calendar notes online through the court’s Tentative Rulings page at placer.courts.ca.gov. The court calendar is run weekly on Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM for the following week. The calendar is not updated after that initial run, so cases set after the Friday run will not appear until the next weekly posting. Always verify your hearing information directly with the court if you have questions.
Placer County Probate Court — Quick Facts
| Court | Superior Court of California, County of Placer — Civil Division |
| Filing Location | Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse — Civil Division Clerk |
| Street Address | 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678 |
| Auburn Courthouse | 101 Maple St., Auburn, CA 95603 — Depts. 1–6 (not a probate filing location) |
| Tahoe Courthouse | 2501 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City — does NOT accept probate filings |
| Court Main Line | (916) 408-6000 |
| Office Hours — Roseville | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Office Hours — Auburn | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Calendar Notes | Posted weekly on Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM |
| Court Website | placer.courts.ca.gov |
Where to File Probate in Placer County
All probate petitions in Placer County are filed with the Civil Division at the Gibson Courthouse, 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville. Self-represented individuals file in person at the Civil Division clerk’s window during posted office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There is no probate filing window at the Tahoe City courthouse — those documents must come to Roseville.
E-Filing Requirements for Probate in Placer County
Electronic filing is mandatory for all attorneys under Local Rule 10.27 for General Civil, Small Claims, Probate, and Mental Health cases. Self-represented litigants may e-file but are not required to do so — they may still file in person at the Civil Division clerk’s window in Roseville. Therefore, if you are handling your own probate without an attorney, you have the choice of e-filing or appearing in person.
Certain documents are excluded from e-filing requirements even for attorneys — including documents that require personal service on a judicial officer or an original certification or signature. Check the court’s e-filing page for the current exclusions before submitting.
Approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs) for Placer County include One Legal, Odyssey File & Serve, Tyler File & Serve, and others approved by the court. All e-filed documents must conform to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.256(b).
E-Filing Information →
Fees and Local Forms →
Placer County Local Rules of Court →
Filing — Key Facts
| Filing Office | Civil Division Clerk — Gibson Courthouse, 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville |
| Window Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| E-Filing Rule | Mandatory for attorneys — Local Rule 10.27 |
| E-Filing Scope | General Civil, Small Claims, Probate, Mental Health |
| Self-Represented | May file in person at Roseville Civil Division or e-file voluntarily |
| Approved EFSPs | One Legal, Odyssey File & Serve, Tyler File & Serve, and others |
| Tahoe Courthouse | Does NOT accept probate filings — file in Roseville only |
| Local Rules | Effective January 13, 2025 — placer.courts.ca.gov |
| Fee Waivers | FW-001 and FW-003 — submit as lead document in same transaction |
How to Look Up a Probate Case in Placer County
Placer County Superior Court provides online access to case information, calendar notes, and tentative rulings through its public portal. You can search for your probate case by case number, party name, or citation number without visiting the courthouse.
Important: The court calendar is posted weekly on Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM for the following week. The report is not updated after the initial Friday run. Cases set after the Friday run will not appear until the next weekly posting. If you cannot find your case online, call the court directly at (916) 408-6000.
| Resource | Link / Details |
|---|---|
| Online Case Portal | webportal.placerco.org — search by case number, name, or party |
| Probate Documents Online | Available from August 28, 2017 |
| Tentative Rulings & Calendar Notes | placer.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings |
| Court Calendars | placer.courts.ca.gov/online-services/court-calendars — posted Fridays ~5:00 PM |
| Court Main Line | (916) 408-6000 — Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Roseville) |
| Court Website | placer.courts.ca.gov |
Local Probate Rules in Placer County
The Placer County Superior Court’s local rules are effective as of January 13, 2025. These rules govern all matters filed in Placer County Superior Court, including probate cases handled by the Civil Division. Specific probate provisions address calendar notes, probate accounts, decedents’ estates, estates distributing to inter vivos trusts, and conservatorships.
Because the local rules were substantially updated in January 2025, it is important to review the current version before filing. Download the most recent Local Rules of Court directly from the court’s official website.
Download the Placer County Local Rules of Court →
Key Requirements Under the Placer County Local Rules
- E-filing is mandatory for attorneys (Local Rule 10.27) for all probate matters — self-represented litigants may file in person at the Roseville Civil Division
- The Tahoe City courthouse does not accept probate filings — all probate documents must be filed in Roseville
- Probate accounts, decedent’s estate requirements, and conservatorship procedures are governed by specific local rule subsections
- Estates distributing to inter vivos trusts have dedicated local rule provisions
- Court calendar notes are posted weekly on Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM for the following week
- All documents submitted for e-filing must conform to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.256(b)
- Signatures on electronically filed documents are governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.257
Filing Reminder: Probate calendar notes in Placer County are posted weekly. Review the court’s online portal and tentative rulings page regularly after filing. Respond to any examiner notes promptly — failure to correct noted deficiencies typically results in a continuance of the hearing.
Probate Notice Publication in Placer County
California Probate Code §8121 requires publication of the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate in an adjudicated newspaper of general circulation. Publication must run for three successive weeks. The first publication must appear at least 15 days before the hearing. File your Proof of Publication affidavit with the court before or at the hearing.
Select the newspaper serving the city where the decedent resided at the time of death. If no adjudicated paper serves that city, or if the decedent did not reside in a city, select a paper with county-wide circulation in Placer County. Contact Gold Country Media directly for current legal notice pricing.
Adjudicated Newspapers — Placer County
All Placer County adjudicated newspapers are published by Gold Country Media. One call or email reaches all six publications: (530) 885-5656, press 7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com
| Newspaper | Area Served | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Journal | Auburn / County-wide | (530) 885-5656 x7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com |
| Colfax Record | Colfax / Foothill communities | (530) 885-5656 x7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com |
| Lincoln News Messenger | Lincoln / Western Placer | (530) 885-5656 x7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com |
| Loomis News | Loomis / Newcastle area | (530) 885-5656 x7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com |
| Placer Herald | Rocklin / County-wide | (530) 885-5656 x7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com |
| Roseville Press Tribune | Roseville / Granite Bay | (530) 885-5656 x7 | legalads@goldcountrymedia.com |
Verify the current adjudicated newspaper list with the Placer County Clerk-Recorder before publishing.
Probate Examiner Notes in Placer County
The Placer County probate examiner reviews every probate filing to verify compliance with the California Probate Code, state rules, and Placer County local rules. After review, the examiner issues calendar notes identifying any procedural deficiencies or concerns that must be addressed before the judge can rule on the petition.
In Placer County, probate calendar notes are posted weekly through the court’s online portal and tentative rulings page. The court calendar runs on Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM for the following week. Consequently, you should check the portal regularly after filing — especially in the weeks leading up to your hearing date.
Placer County Probate Examiner — Quick Facts
| Notes Posted | Weekly — Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM for the following week |
| Calendar Notes Access | webportal.placerco.org |
| Tentative Rulings | placer.courts.ca.gov — Tentative Rulings |
| Court Main Line | (916) 408-6000 — Civil Division, Roseville |
| Filing Location | Gibson Courthouse, 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville |
| If Notes Not Cleared | Court typically continues the hearing to a new date |
| Local Rules Effective | January 13, 2025 |
How to Access Your Probate Notes
Visit the court’s Online Case Portal at webportal.placerco.org and search by your case number. Additionally, review the Tentative Rulings and Calendar Notes page at placer.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings. If you have difficulty locating your case, call the Civil Division at (916) 408-6000.
Common Examiner Notes in Placer County
- Missing or incorrect proof of publication
- Missing required attachments to the Inventory and Appraisal
- Incorrect notice language or missing notice to creditors
- Unsigned or undated verification pages
- Inconsistent information across filings
- Missing DHCS notice documentation
- Incomplete property characterization
When the probate examiner identifies deficiencies in your filing, those issues must be corrected before the court can proceed with the hearing. Each problem flagged in the calendar notes requires a specific supplement or correction. If you do not resolve the notes properly, the court will typically continue your hearing to a new date — adding weeks or months to the process. Our Probate Notes and Supplements in California guide walks through exactly how to address those issues correctly.
Probate Referee in Placer County
California probate referees are appointed by the State Controller’s Office to appraise all non-cash assets in a decedent’s estate. The personal representative appraises cash items; the assigned referee appraises all other assets including real property, business interests, vehicles, and personal property. The referee’s appraised values establish the basis for statutory fees, accountings, and final distribution calculations.
In Placer County — where estates frequently include Tahoe lakefront properties, Sierra foothill acreage, Roseville and Rocklin residential real estate, and agricultural holdings — the referee’s appraisal is a critical step in the process. Valuations for Tahoe-area and foothill properties may require additional time to complete.
| Referee | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDERSON, Marlee C. | P.O. Box 129, Garden Valley, CA 95633 | (916) 972-7042 | marleecanderson@gmail.com |
Referee assignments can change. Always confirm the current Placer County probate referee at the California State Controller’s Office before initiating contact: sco.ca.gov/eo_probate.html.
Probate Timeline in Placer County
Most straightforward probate estates in Placer County take 12 to 18 months from filing to final distribution. Estates involving Tahoe lakefront properties, Sierra foothill acreage, business interests, or contested matters may take considerably longer. Filing documents correctly the first time — and responding to examiner calendar notes promptly — keeps your case on schedule.
| Step | Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filing | File the Petition for Probate (DE-111) with the Civil Division of the Gibson Courthouse, 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville. Attorneys must e-file under Local Rule 10.27; self-represented filers may file in person at the Civil Division clerk’s window. |
| 2 | Publication | Publish the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate in an adjudicated Placer County newspaper three times over three successive weeks. The first publication must appear at least 15 days before the hearing. File the Proof of Publication affidavit before or at the hearing. |
| 3 | Examiner Review | Calendar notes are posted weekly on Fridays at approximately 5:00 PM for the following week. Check the court portal at webportal.placerco.org and the Tentative Rulings page regularly. Review notes promptly and prepare all supplements and corrections. |
| 4 | Respond to Notes | File all supplements and responses to examiner notes before the hearing date. Failure to correct calendar notes results in a continuance. All supplements must be filed and served according to Local Rule requirements. |
| 5 | Initial Hearing | Probate hearings are held at the Gibson Courthouse in Roseville, in the department assigned by the Civil Division. Verify your courtroom assignment and check tentative rulings at placer.courts.ca.gov before the hearing. |
| 6 | Letters Issued | After the court grants the petition, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration are issued. These authorize the personal representative to act on behalf of the estate — opening accounts, collecting assets, and paying debts. |
| 7 | Inventory & Appraisal | File the Inventory and Appraisal (DE-160) within the statutory period. Probate Referee Marlee C. Anderson appraises all non-cash assets. Tahoe-area properties, foothill acreage, and complex assets may require additional time for the referee to complete valuations. |
| 8 | Creditor Period | Creditors have four months from the date of first publication OR 60 days from actual notice, whichever is later, to file claims against the estate. No petition for final distribution may be filed until this period has passed. |
| 9 | Final Distribution | File the Petition for Final Distribution with a complete accounting. The probate examiner reviews the petition and posts notes if needed. At the final hearing, the judge approves distribution to heirs and the estate is closed. |
How Probate & More Helps Families with Placer County Probate
Placer County probate requires careful attention to the Civil Division’s procedures, the weekly calendar note schedule, and local rule requirements that differ from other California counties. A missed supplement, an incorrectly formatted notice, or a publication in the wrong newspaper can delay your hearing by weeks. In a county where estates often include Tahoe lakefront properties, Sierra foothill acreage, and high-value Roseville residential real estate, those delays have real financial consequences.
Probate & More provides experienced non-attorney flat-fee probate document preparation for Placer County estates. On a $700,000 estate — easily reached with Tahoe-area or western Placer County real estate — statutory attorney fees can exceed $17,000. Our flat-fee service delivers the same professionally prepared documents at a fraction of that cost, putting more of the estate where it belongs: in the hands of your family.
Our team coordinates publication with the correct Gold Country Media newspaper for the decedent’s community, works with Probate Referee Marlee C. Anderson, prepares supplements in response to calendar notes well before hearing dates, handles e-filing through approved EFSPs, and prepares all closing documents. We serve Placer County families from Roseville to Rocklin, Auburn to Lincoln, Loomis to Tahoe City, and clients throughout all 58 California counties.
FAQs — Placer County Probate
Start Your Probate Filing in Placer County
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Our team has guided California families through probate for over 50 years — flat-fee document preparation, no attorney required. We coordinate publication with the correct Gold Country Media newspaper for the decedent’s community, work with Probate Referee Marlee Anderson, prepare supplements before hearing dates, and e-file through approved EFSPs. From Roseville to Tahoe City, we are here to help.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We are a California Registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA). We prepare legal documents — we do not practice law.
For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a licensed California probate attorney.
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