Inyo County probate cases are filed at one of two courthouses, in Independence or Bishop, and this stretch of the Eastern Sierra doesn’t get much accurate coverage online. Here’s the court’s actual contact information, current as of this year.
Inyo County Probate Court Locations and Contact
Per the court’s own Locations & Contact Info page, Inyo County runs two courthouses that both handle probate matters: the Independence Courthouse (Departments 1 and 3), 168 North Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526, and the Bishop Courthouse (Department 4), 301 West Line Street, Bishop, CA 93514. Both share the same phone number, (760) 872-3038, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.), and phone hours limited to 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For anything other than a traffic matter, the court’s general email is info@inyocourt.ca.gov.
Does This Estate Need Formal Probate?
Inyo County’s own probate page still cites the old $100,000 figure for when probate is required, but the statewide threshold has since been adjusted upward. As of the court’s official DE-300 schedule, estates with $208,850 or less in personal property (for deaths on or after April 1, 2025) may qualify for California’s simplified small estate affidavit instead of formal probate.
Trusts and Conservatorships Also Go Through This Court
The Inyo County probate division doesn’t just handle decedent estates. It also hears trust disputes (petitions to remove a trustee, release trust assets, or appoint a successor trustee) and conservatorship cases, where a judge appoints someone to manage the finances or personal care of an adult who can’t manage them alone. If you’re waiting on an inheritance tied up in a trust rather than a formal probate case, the process for accessing funds early works differently, ask before assuming a probate advance applies.
Need Funds While Inyo County Probate Plays Out?
Formal probate in California typically runs 9 months to a year and a half or longer. If you’re an heir or beneficiary in an Inyo County probate case, ProbateLend’s Inyo County probate advance can get you access to your inheritance while the case is still open. See how probate advances work or what you’ll need in our guide to required documents for a probate advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Inyo County probate court located?
Inyo County has two courthouses that handle probate: Independence (168 North Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526) and Bishop (301 West Line Street, Bishop, CA 93514). Both share the phone number (760) 872-3038.
Does every Inyo County estate have to go through probate?
No. Estates with $208,850 or less in personal property (for deaths on or after April 1, 2025) may qualify for a simplified small estate affidavit instead of formal probate. Estates entirely in trust or passing to a surviving spouse also generally bypass probate.
Can I call the Inyo County probate court anytime during business hours?
No. While the office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, phone lines are only staffed 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Does Inyo County probate court handle trusts, not just estates?
Yes. The same division hears trust disputes, including petitions to remove a trustee or release trust assets, along with conservatorship cases.
Can I get money from my inheritance before Inyo County probate closes?
Yes. A probate advance lets qualified heirs and beneficiaries access a portion of their expected inheritance before the estate distributes. See how probate advances work for details.
Handling an Inyo County estate doesn’t mean waiting on money that’s already yours. Visit ProbateLend to see if you qualify for a probate advance today.