How To File Probate in Butte County
Last Updated: September 18, 2026
IN THIS GUIDE:
Introduction to Filing Probate in Butte County
A Butte County resident dies owning assets solely in their own name. Suppose those assets then exceed California’s statutory threshold. As a result, the estate typically needs formal probate before heirs can receive anything. If you are handling that estate, then you need clear, accurate steps to file probate in Butte County correctly.
Filing probate in Butte County means working with the Civil/Probate Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Butte. So every probate case is filed and heard at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. The county’s other courthouse, in Oroville, does not handle probate.
When Is Probate Required in Butte County?
California law requires probate when a decedent’s individually held assets exceed $208,850, effective April 1, 2025. Property held in a funded trust, jointly owned real estate, and accounts with named beneficiaries typically pass outside probate. However, smaller estates may qualify for a simplified affidavit procedure under Probate Code section 13100.
What This Guide to File Probate in Butte County Covers
Overall, this guide explains what you need to file probate in Butte County. First, it covers the correct courthouse, e-filing requirements, local rules, and publication requirements. In addition, it covers Butte County probate examiner notes, the county’s probate referee, and the full Butte County probate timeline. Probate & More prepares probate documents for Butte County families at a flat fee. As a result, this often saves thousands compared with hourly attorney billing.
Settling an estate somewhere else in California? Overall, every county runs its probate process a little differently. So check the filing rules for that specific county before you start. Our California Probate by County guide covers filing details for all 58 counties.
How to File Probate in Butte County: Step-by-Step
Filing probate in Butte County follows California probate law, but several local court procedures are unique to Butte County. The steps below provide a practical overview of the process from the initial filing through final distribution.
1. Determine Whether Formal Probate Is Required
Review the decedent’s assets, how title was held, and the value of property subject to probate. Some assets may transfer outside probate, while smaller estates may qualify for a simplified California procedure.
2. Prepare the Petition for Probate
Prepare the Petition for Probate and the required supporting documents using information about the decedent, heirs, beneficiaries, assets, and the person asking to serve as personal representative. For help understanding how to complete the petition and its supporting information, see our guide to completing a Probate Petition in California.
3. File the Case With the Butte County Probate Court
Butte County probate matters are filed with the Civil/Probate Division at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. For a detailed explanation of the filing stage, see our guide to filing a Petition for Probate in California. You can also review the Butte County Probate Court section below for courthouse information and the Where to File Probate in Butte County section for local filing requirements.
4. Publish the Required Probate Notice
The Notice of Petition to Administer Estate must be published in the proper adjudicated newspaper based on the decedent’s Butte County notice district. See the Butte County Probate Notice Publication section for local publication information.
5. Give Required Notice to Heirs and Beneficiaries
Required notices must be mailed to heirs, beneficiaries, and other interested persons before the probate hearing. Proper notice is an important part of getting the petition approved without unnecessary delay.
6. Check Butte County Probate Examiner Notes
Before the hearing, monitor the court’s online system for examiner comments, deficiencies, or tentative rulings. The Butte County Probate Examiner Notes section below explains how the local review process works.
7. Attend the Probate Hearing and Obtain Letters
If the petition is approved, the court appoints the personal representative. Once the required documents are completed, the court issues Letters giving the personal representative authority to administer the estate.
8. Complete the Inventory, Appraisal, and Estate Administration
The personal representative gathers estate property, handles creditor matters, completes the Inventory and Appraisal, and works with the assigned probate referee when non-cash assets require appraisal. See the Butte County Probate Referee section for local referee information.
9. Petition for Final Distribution
After the estate has been administered and the required waiting periods have passed, the personal representative asks the court to approve final distribution to the heirs or beneficiaries. Review the Butte County Probate Timeline section for the typical sequence from filing through completion.
Butte County Probate Court
Overall, the Superior Court of California, County of Butte, handles all probate matters through its Civil/Probate Division. So the Butte County probate court sits at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. Meanwhile, the Butte County Courthouse in Oroville handles criminal, juvenile, mental health, and appellate matters. It does not accept probate filings.
The Butte County probate court is located at 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. For probate questions, the Probate Division phone line is (530) 532-7017. The Civil Division line is (530) 532-7009. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Currently, Judge Mosbarger and Judge Benson hear probate matters. Together, they issue tentative rulings for decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Before you appear, confirm your assigned department and hearing time through the court’s online portal.
For non-evidentiary matters, the Butte County probate court also authorizes telephonic appearances under Code of Civil Procedure section 367.76. This covers case management conferences and most law and motion hearings.
Where to File Probate in Butte County
First, knowing where to file probate in Butte County saves families a wasted trip. All probate petitions go to the Civil/Probate Division at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. Consequently, there is no probate filing window anywhere in Oroville.
E-Filing Requirements for Probate in Butte County
Electronic filing is mandatory for all probate matters under Local Rule 21. However, self-represented individuals are exempt and may still file in person. The court accepts filings only through an authorized Electronic Filing Service Provider listed on the Odyssey eFileCA website. Meanwhile, each EFSP sets its own fees. In addition, the court adds a $3.50 per-envelope filing fee.
Certain documents, however, can never be e-filed. These include the original will, any codicil or testamentary trust, bonds, and subpoenaed records. The list also covers financial institution, care facility, or escrow documents governed by Probate Code section 2620. Similarly, sealed documents and oversized attachments must also be filed on paper.
The decedent may have lived anywhere in the county, from Chico to Oroville to Paradise. Even so, the answer to where to file probate in Butte County stays the same. Every case goes through the Chico courthouse.
E-Filing Information →
Fees and Forms →
Local Forms and Fee Schedule →
How to Look Up a Probate Case in Butte County
Butte County provides a live online portal for checking case status and reviewing tentative rulings. Unlike counties that post updates on a fixed weekly schedule, Butte County’s Tyler Technologies portal instead updates in real time.
First, use the Smart Search or Search Hearings feature on the Portal to look up a case by number, name, or party. The Portal covers Butte County Superior Court cases filed since 1988. Additionally, for probate cases filed after February 19, 2016, the case number includes PR as the case-type code.
Current probate tentative rulings for Judge Mosbarger and Judge Benson also post on the Tentative Rulings page. This page refreshes with each new ruling. Otherwise, if you cannot locate a case online, call the court’s main line at (530) 532-7002.
| Resource | Link / Details |
|---|---|
| Case Search Portal | portal-cabutte.tylertech.cloud/Portal — Smart Search by case number, name, or party |
| Coverage | Butte County Superior Court cases filed since 1988 |
| Tentative Rulings | butte.courts.ca.gov — Tentative Rulings, updated as entered |
| Court Calendars | butte.courts.ca.gov — Court Calendars |
| Court Main Line | (530) 532-7002 |
| Court Website | butte.courts.ca.gov |
Butte County Local Probate Rules
Overall, Local Rule 12 governs probate procedure in Butte County. It took effect on July 1, 1998, and has been amended repeatedly since, most recently effective July 1, 2026. The rule addresses bond requirements, sales of estate property, and compensation for personal representatives and their attorneys. Additionally, it covers spousal and community property petitions, preliminary and final distribution, and final discharge.
Local Rule 12 also sets out separate provisions for conservatorships and guardianships. This is because the Probate Division handles those matters alongside decedents’ estates. Local probate forms, meanwhile, are available directly from the court. These include the Court Investigator Information Sheet (PR.010) and the Order Appointing Court Investigator (PR.020).
Because the local rules are updated often, always download the current version before you file. Do not rely on an older printed copy.
Download the Butte County Local Rules of Court →
Key Requirements Under Local Rule 12
- Electronic filing is mandatory for all probate matters (Local Rule 21); self-represented filers may still file in person
- Bond, sales, and compensation provisions apply to personal representatives and their attorneys
- Separate rules govern conservatorships and guardianships within the same Probate Division
- Non-evidentiary matters, including probate case management, may proceed by telephonic appearance under CCP section 367.76
- All e-filed documents must conform to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.256(b)
Butte County Probate Notice Publication
First, California Probate Code section 8121 requires publishing the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate in an adjudicated newspaper. Publication must then run for three consecutive weeks. The first notice must appear at least 15 days before the hearing. Then file the Proof of Publication with the court before or at the hearing.
As a result, Butte County is divided into five statutory public notice districts under Government Code section 6085.130: Chico, Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, and Paradise. Select the newspaper serving the district where the decedent lived at the time of death.
Adjudicated Newspapers — Butte County
Chico Enterprise-Record
Legal ad portal: 1-800-206-7355
Email: NorCalAds@dfmnorcal.com
Oroville Mercury-Register
Legal ad portal: 1-800-206-7355
Email: NorCalAds@dfmnorcal.com
The Gridley Herald
Legal advertising: (916) 483-2299
Fax: (916) 773-2999
Contact each newspaper’s legal advertising desk directly for current rates, since pricing changes without notice.
Butte County Probate Examiner Notes
Overall, Butte County probate examiner notes work differently than in many other California counties. Instead of posting notes on a fixed schedule, the examiner enters review information directly into the court’s live case management system. This happens as the review takes place. So there is no separate 45-day or 21-day posting window to track.
Because of this rolling process, check the Tyler Technologies Portal regularly in the weeks before your hearing. Updates, in fact, can appear at any time. Current tentative rulings for Judge Mosbarger and Judge Benson also post on the Tentative Rulings page, refreshed with each new ruling.
Overall, probate examiner notes flag the filing problems that stand between your petition and a signed order. Left uncorrected, these notes usually push the hearing to a later date. Our Probate Notes and Supplements in California guide explains how to respond correctly.
Common Examiner Notes in Butte County
Butte County Probate Referee
First, California probate referees are appointed by the State Controller’s Office to appraise every non-cash asset in an estate. The personal representative values cash items directly. Instead, the referee appraises real property, vehicles, business interests, and personal property.
Butte County’s appointed probate referee is Dolan, Jane, based in Chico. Her office, in turn, handles referee assignments throughout the county. This includes Chico and Oroville, plus the foothill and rural communities around Paradise and Gridley.
| Referee | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOLAN, Jane | 389 Connors Court, Suite A, Chico, CA 95926 | (530) 342-4295 | jdolan@sbcglobal.net |
Referee appointments can change. Confirm the current assignment at the California State Controller’s Office before reaching out: sco.ca.gov/eo_probate.html.
Butte County Probate Timeline
The Butte County probate timeline usually runs 12 to 18 months from filing to final distribution for a straightforward estate. Estates with foothill acreage, rural parcels, or contested claims often take longer.
Nine Steps From Filing to Final Distribution
| Step | Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filing |
File the Petition for Probate (DE-111) at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. Attorneys must e-file; self-represented filers may file in person. |
| 2 | Publication |
Publish the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate in the decedent’s notice-district newspaper, three times over three weeks, starting at least 15 days before the hearing. |
| 3 | Examiner Review |
The examiner enters notes or a tentative ruling into the Tyler Technologies Portal. Check it often for updates. |
| 4 | Respond to Notes |
File any required supplements before the hearing date. Uncorrected notes typically result in a continuance. |
| 5 | Initial Hearing |
Judge Mosbarger or Judge Benson hears the petition. Telephonic appearance is authorized for non-evidentiary matters. |
| 6 | Letters Issued |
Once granted, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration authorize the personal representative to collect assets, open accounts, and pay debts. |
| 7 | Inventory & Appraisal |
File the Inventory and Appraisal (DE-160) within the statutory period. Referee Jane Dolan appraises all non-cash assets. |
| 8 | Creditor Period |
Creditors have four months from first publication, or 60 days from actual notice, whichever is later, to file a claim. |
| 9 | Final Distribution |
File the Petition for Final Distribution with a full accounting. The judge then approves distribution to heirs at the final hearing. |
How Probate & More Helps Families File Probate in Butte County
Together, Butte County’s mandatory e-filing rule, rolling examiner-note schedule, and single Chico filing location create a process that rewards careful preparation. Missing a document type that cannot be e-filed can cost weeks. Similarly, so can misreading which newspaper district applies to your decedent.
Probate & More provides flat-fee, non-attorney document preparation for families who want to file probate in Butte County without statutory attorney fees. On a $700,000 estate, common in Chico and the surrounding foothills, those fees can exceed $17,000. Instead, our flat-fee service delivers the same properly prepared documents for a fraction of that cost.
First, we coordinate publication with the correct adjudicated newspaper for the decedent’s notice district. We also work with Probate Referee Jane Dolan and monitor the court’s live portal for examiner notes on your behalf. In addition, we handle e-filing through an approved EFSP. Whatever the Butte County probate timeline looks like for your case, we help you move through it correctly the first time.
Bottom line for Butte County families
One courthouse. One mandatory e-filing rule. One probate referee. Butte County’s process is more centralized than many California counties — but that only helps if every filing is correct the first time.
Questions, Answers & Helpful FAQs
Butte County Probate Court and Filing
Where do I file probate in Butte County?
All Butte County probate petitions are filed with the Civil/Probate Division at the North Butte County Courthouse, 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. The Oroville courthouse does not accept probate filings.
What is the Butte County probate court, and how do I reach it?
The Butte County probate court is the Civil/Probate Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Butte, located in Chico. Call the Probate Division at (530) 532-7017 with filing questions.
Does Butte County require e-filing for probate?
Yes. Electronic filing is mandatory for all probate matters under Local Rule 21. Self-represented individuals are exempt and may file in person instead.
How do I access Butte County probate examiner notes?
Butte County probate examiner notes are entered directly into the court’s Tyler Technologies Portal as the review happens. There is no fixed pre-hearing posting schedule, so check the Portal’s Smart Search and the Tentative Rulings page regularly before your hearing.
Publication, Probate Referee, Timeline, and Help
Which newspapers can I use for probate publication in Butte County?
Butte County has five public notice districts. Use the Chico Enterprise-Record for Chico, the Oroville Mercury-Register for Oroville, and the Paradise Post for Paradise. Use The Gridley Herald for the Gridley and Biggs districts.
Who is the probate referee in Butte County?
Butte County’s probate referee is Jane Dolan, based in Chico at (530) 342-4295. Confirm the current appointment at the California State Controller’s Office before contacting her office.
How long does the Butte County probate timeline take?
Most straightforward Butte County estates take 12 to 18 months from filing to final distribution. Estates with rural or foothill property, or contested claims, often take longer.
Can Probate & More help me file probate in Butte County?
Yes. Probate & More is a California Registered Legal Document Assistant business serving Butte County and all 58 California counties. We prepare probate documents on a flat-fee basis without requiring an attorney.
Start Your Probate Filing in Butte County
Smart. Simple. Affordable. Non-attorney probate help for Butte County families.
Our team coordinates publication with the correct adjudicated newspaper, works with Probate Referee Jane Dolan, monitors the court’s live portal for examiner notes, and handles e-filing through an approved EFSP. From Chico to Oroville, Paradise to Gridley, 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.
Please Share it!
