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PROBATE Court
The Probate Court deals directly with the everyday personal and financial matters of San Franciscans. Most people think of probate courts as working exclusively with wills and the financial affairs of people who have died. However, the Probate Court also deals with guardianships of children, conservatorships of adults, mental health treatment, trusts, and dependent adult restraining orders when related to an existing conservatorship. The Judge and staff of the San Francisco Probate Court are committed to the administration of justice with thoughtfulness and concern for the citizens of San Francisco.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE: COVID-19 PANDEMIC (JULY 1, 2022)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE: COVID-19 PANDEMIC (JUNE 28, 2021)
ADMINISTRAVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE: COVID-19 PANDEMIC (OCTOBER 30,2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVSION RE: COVID-19 PANDEMIC (JULY 21, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (June 17, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (May 28, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (May 5, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (April 15, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (April 2, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION RE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (March 26, 2020)
Search for Case Calendars by Case Type and Date. Information is available up to 120 calendar days from today.
Online Services -- Probate
- Find Probate case information online
- Probate Tentative Rulings may be obtained online one to three days before the hearing. Rulings on motions are available by 3 p.m. the court day prior to the motion. Call (415) 551-4000 to obtain tentative rulings by phone.
- Probate Examiner's Office Updates
Calendar Information
Hearing dates for all appearance matters are assigned by the filing clerk at the time the petition is filed. Other hearing times are:
CLICK HERE FOR REMOTE APPEARANCE PROCEEDINGS FOR DEPARTMENT 202 AND DEPARTMENT 204
- Appearance Hearings for Probate Matters other than Appointment of Guardians and Conservators, and Motions:
9 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Department 204. Order in which matters usually are heard:- Petitions for confirmation of sale
- All other matters
- Petitions for Appointment of Guardian: 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in - Department 204 (These matters require an appearance).
- Petitions for Appointment of Conservator, including other personal care issues such as placement: 9 a.m. on Thursday in Department 204 (These matters require an appearance).
- Mental Health Conservatorship Matters: 9 a.m. on Thursday in Department 622 or at San Francisco General Hospital (closed hearings).
- Requests for Restraining Orders to Stop Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse for cases related to an Active Conservatorship: 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Department 204 or as specially set by Judicial Officer at time of issuance of Temporary Restraining Order.
- Ex Parte matters: 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. -- Monday through Friday, in Room 202.
- Law and Motion Calendar: Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, and Fridays, in Department 204. To schedule a motion, call (415) 551-3702.
- Pre-Granted Orders are available in Room 103, Windows 24, 25, and 26 after 9:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing.
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More information
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In view of the Jameson v. Desta decision:
Fee waiver recipients who desire a verbatim record of a trial court proceeding must notify the court in writing by filing a notice, a request or other form of written notification. The notice/request must be received within the following time perimeters:
- Unlawful Detainer Matters – 5 days before the trial court proceeding
- Civil and Probate – 2 weeks before the trial court proceeding
Failure to make the request within the time perimeters listed above may result in the courts inability to honor your request in a timely manner, on the day of your hearing.
Conservatorship of Adults
If a Judge decides that an adult cannot safely handle personal or financial affairs or both, the Judge may appoint an individual or an agency to manage the adult’s affairs under Court supervision.
Guardianship of CHildren
In California, there are two types of guardianships for children. The first type is connected with the Juvenile Dependency Court .https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/ufc/juvenile-dependency In those cases, a child has been removed from the home by a Child Protective Services social worker because there is information that the child is being neglected, abused, or is in danger. The other type of guardianship is handled by the Probate Court. In these guardianships, the child lives with the person who is the guardian.
Wills and Decedents' Estates
Trusts
Mental Health Court
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Probate Judge do?
The Judge of the Probate Department hears cases in the courtroom and administers the policies and procedures for this specialized court in San Francisco. The Probate Judge appoints people and at times institutions and agencies, to act as administrators and executors of wills, as trustees, as guardians of children, and as conservators of adults who cannot handle their own affairs. The Court also supervises these matters and reviews and approves the fees that are charged. In each probate matter, the Judge must apply the law, taking into account the views of all the people involved, the evidence that has been offered and the reports prepared by staff. The Judge must consider what is fair and in the best interests of the people who are involved.
What staff members help the Judge on my case?
The Judge is assisted by an administrative staff, examiners and investigators, a lawyer from the Court's attorney staff, courtroom clerks, clerks who receive and process the documents filed by attorneys and the public, and by a bailiff in the courtroom. Examiners review all the petitions in the estates of deceased people, trusts, conservatorships and guardianships. They make certain that the law has been followed and that the accountings are accurate. The investigators go out into the community to see how people are doing, to inform them of their rights, and to report their circumstances, wishes, and concerns to the Judge.
What type of Probate cases must be e-filed?
All Probate Estate and Trust cases are subject to e-filing. These cases have either a PES or PTR prefix.
Do I have a choice of vendors to use when e-filing?
Probate cases must be filed through File & ServeXpress.