If you’re dealing with a San Mateo County probate case, one detail catches a lot of people off guard: you generally can’t just walk into the clerk’s office. Here’s what’s actually current for filing, contacting the court, and getting help.
Quick Answer: How Do I Handle San Mateo County Probate?
San Mateo County probate cases are heard at the Hall of Justice, 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063, phone (650) 261-5100. The clerk’s office operates by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 1:00pm, a narrower window than many other California counties. The Probate Department is presided over by Judge Lisa A. Novak in Department 13, and disputes can often be resolved through the court’s Probate ADR Program instead of a full hearing.
San Mateo County Probate Court Location, Contact Info, and Hours
Address:
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone:
(650) 261-5100
Phone hours: 8:30am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday
Office Hours:
By appointment only, 8:30am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday. Schedule ahead through the court’s appointment system rather than planning to walk in.
The Probate Department’s supervising judge is Lisa A. Novak, Department 13, Courtroom 2C, reachable at (650) 261-5113 or Dept13@sanmateocourt.org. For matters involving the Probate Court Investigator, who conducts interviews in conservatorship and guardianship cases, contact PCI@sanmateocourt.org; general ex parte questions go to probate@sanmateocourt.org instead.
A 2022 Rule Change on Temporary Guardianships and Conservatorships
Effective December 12, 2022, San Mateo County changed how it handles requests for temporary guardianships and temporary conservatorships. Previously, these were routinely granted on the ex parte calendar. Now, in line with Probate Code Sections 2250 through 2258, requests must be filed and served on relevant parties at least five days before a noticed hearing, rather than being decided ex parte. The court has stated it will deny ex parte requests that could appropriately be heard at a five-day noticed hearing instead. If you’re petitioning for a temporary guardianship or conservatorship, budget for that notice period rather than expecting a same-day ex parte ruling.
Filing a Probate Petition
Opening a decedent’s estate case requires the standard petition documents, along with supporting paperwork the court’s Probate Division specifies for the initial filing. For a rundown of what happens after a petition is approved, including the Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary you’ll receive, see our complete guide to California letters of administration. Separate document checklists apply for conservatorship and guardianship filings, which are distinct from a standard decedent’s estate petition.
Resolving Disputes Through the Probate ADR Program
Not every disagreement among heirs or beneficiaries needs a contested hearing. San Mateo County’s Probate ADR Program offers mediation and other alternative dispute resolution options specifically for probate matters, which can resolve conflicts faster and with less expense than litigating them in front of the assigned judge.
Need Funds? ProbateLend Can Help
San Mateo County probate cases commonly take a year or more to close, and appointment-only clerk hours can make simple questions slower to resolve than in counties with walk-in access. ProbateLend offers a San Mateo County probate advance that gives heirs access to a portion of their expected inheritance now, with repayment coming only from the estate at final distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still walk into the San Mateo County probate clerk’s office without an appointment?
No, not for standard office hours matters. The office operates strictly by appointment, though the clerk’s office continues to accept emergency ex parte, domestic violence, and temporary restraining order petitions without the same appointment requirement.
Why did San Mateo County change its rules for temporary guardianships?
The court cited the legislature’s intent, reflected in Probate Code Sections 2250-2258, to prevent conservatorships from being granted unnecessarily. Requiring a five-day noticed hearing instead of routine ex parte approval gives affected parties a chance to respond before a temporary order is granted.
Who do I contact about a pending conservatorship or guardianship interview?
The Probate Court Investigator’s office, reachable at PCI@sanmateocourt.org, handles the interviews required in conservatorship and guardianship cases. That’s a separate contact from the general probate ex parte email.
Is mediation required before a probate dispute goes to a hearing?
No, it’s optional but encouraged. The Probate ADR Program is available for parties who want to resolve disagreements without a contested hearing in front of the assigned judge, but nothing requires using it before filing a motion.
Does a probate case assigned to Department 13 always stay with the same judge?
Department 13 is the Probate Department’s designated courtroom, currently presided over by Judge Lisa A. Novak, and probate matters are generally heard there, though judicial assignments can change over time as with any court department.
Between the appointment-only hours and the 2022 rule changes on temporary orders, San Mateo County probate has a few quirks worth knowing before you show up or file. If you need cash while your case works through the court, ProbateLend can help.