01/07/2026
🏛️ The Orange County Probate Roadmap
Phase 1: File Petition for Probate - File a Petition for Probate (Form DE-111) to ask the court to open the estate.
Phase 2: Attend the First Hearing - Attend your first hearing which the court generally schedules 30-45 days after filing. If all is in order (Notice, Publication, No Objections, etc.) the judge will issue “Letters”, the golden ticket that gives you the legal authority to handle the decedent’s assets.
Phase 3: Manage the Estate - Inventory & Appraisal, Notifying Creditors, Paying Debts & Taxes. You must identify and value EVERYTHING - from bank accounts to real estate down to personal property items. The Personal Representative must notify all known creditors and settle all accounts.
Phase 4: Final Distribution & Closing - Once all bills, creditor claims, and accounts are settled, the Personal Representative will file a final report detailing all actions, assets, debts, and proposed distributions. Upon the courts approval of the final Petition, assets are distributed to the heirs, receipts are filed with the court along with a Final Discharge. The estate is then formally closed!!
❔Questions about the probate process or a specific estate? Drop a comment below or DM to schedule a consultation 📩
