Gavel and estate documents tied with ribbon representing Mariposa County probate court

Mariposa County Probate Court: Location & Security Rules

Mariposa County probate cases are filed at the Historic Courthouse in the town of Mariposa, and ProbateLend’s Mariposa County probate advance can get you access to your inheritance before the case closes. For the general step-by-step filing process, see our Mariposa County probate process guide. Here’s the practical information that guide doesn’t cover: the courthouse itself, its security rules, and how to check your case without driving in.

Mariposa County Probate Court Location and Contact

Per the court’s own Location & Contact Info page, probate cases are filed at the Historic Courthouse, 5088 Bullion Street, Mariposa, CA 95338, (209) 966-2005. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free parking is available on all sides of the courthouse, with the main entrance facing Bullion Street and ADA access at the rear entrance facing Jones Street.

What to Expect at Security

The Mariposa Superior Court is a full-security facility. Everyone entering has to pass through a weapons screening device and have hand-carried items x-rayed. The court also enforces a dress code: shorts, tank tops, crop tops, and bare feet aren’t permitted inside any Mariposa Superior Court facility, worth knowing before you make the drive out for a hearing.

Mariposa’s Probate Referee

Every California probate case with assets other than cash needs a probate referee to appraise them. Mariposa County’s referee, Mike Wright, is based just over the county line in Sonora and can be reached at (209) 532-0628. Knowing the referee is out of town helps explain why appraisal turnaround can take a bit longer here than in counties with a local referee.

Does This Estate Need Formal Probate?

Mariposa County’s own probate page still cites $100,000 as the small estate threshold, an outdated figure. The current statewide threshold, per the Judicial Council’s official DE-300 schedule, is $208,850 or less in personal property for deaths on or after April 1, 2025.

Need Funds While Mariposa County Probate Plays Out?

Formal probate typically runs 9 months to a year and a half. If you’re an heir or beneficiary in a Mariposa County probate case, 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 Mariposa County probate court located?

Probate cases are filed at the Historic Courthouse, 5088 Bullion Street, Mariposa, CA 95338, (209) 966-2005.

What should I wear to a Mariposa County probate hearing?

Avoid shorts, tank tops, crop tops, and bare feet, they’re not permitted inside the courthouse. Everyone also passes through a weapons screening device on entry.

Who appraises estate assets in Mariposa County probate cases?

Mike Wright, the county’s probate referee, based in Sonora. He appraises non-cash estate assets as required in most probate cases.

Does every estate in Mariposa County 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 transfer instead. Living trust assets and property passing to a surviving spouse also generally bypass probate.

Can I get money from my inheritance before Mariposa 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 a Mariposa County estate doesn’t mean waiting on money that’s already yours. Visit ProbateLend to see if you qualify for a probate advance today.