Locations & Phone Numbers

Probate Court is Court of General Jurisdiction that includes: decendent's estates, trust proceedings, guardianship proceedings, conservatorship proceedings, adoption, minor's compromises, and mental health filings.

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CONSERVATORSHIPS

Conservatorship proceedings are initiated in order to have a family member, friend, or fiduciary appointed to handle the personal care and/or financial affairs of the conservatee.  There are three types of conservatorship actions:

A General Probate Conservatorship (PrC 1800, et seq.) is for all other adults who are unable to provide for their personal needs due to physical injury, dementia or other reasons rendering them incapable of caring for themselves or making them subject to undue influence.

A Limited Conservatorship (PrC 1827.5 1828.5 2351.5) is only for a person who is developmentally disabled.  In this type of conservatorship the powers of the conservator are liimited so that the disabled person may live as independently as possible.

An LPS (Lanternman-Petris-Short) Conservatorship (W&I 5350-5371) is for a gravely disabled person who may be a danger to themselves or others and requires hospitalization in a psychiatric facility.  An LPS conservatorship requires the annual reappointment of the conservator.  A person under an LPS conservatorship may be placed in a locked facility.  There are many extra protections in LPS conservatorships to insure that the conservatee's civil rights are not being violated.  LPS conservatorships are confidential cases.

For more information on conservatorship matters please visit the Judicial Council's California Self Help Center.

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GUARDIANSHIP

Guardianship is a court proceeding in which a judge gives someone who is not a parent:

• Custody of a child, or
• The power to manage the child's property, or
• Both.

The child, called 'the minor' or 'the ward' is any person under 18.

There are 2 types of guardianship.  Most cases go to Probate Court.  But if the child is a dependent or a ward of the juvenile court, guardianship must be decided in Juvenile Court.

For more information on guardianship matters along with forms please visit the Judicial Council's California Self Help Center.

Fill out Guardianship forms online at EzLegal File.

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PROBATE COURT LOCATIONS

Riverside Probate Court
4050 Main Street
Riverside, Ca. 92501
951.955.1970
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions

Hemet Court
880 N. State Street
Hemet, Ca. 92543
951.766.2525
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions

Larson Justice Center Annex
82675 State Highway 111
Indio, Ca. 92201
760.863.8207
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions

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PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL CONSERVATORS/GUARDIANS

The following is a list of individuals who have registered as Private Professional Conservator/Guardians with the State of California, pursuant to Probate Code 2850 and in the County of Riverside, pursuant to Probate Code 2342-2343.

Adams, Gordon E. 5187 Grand Ave. Yucca Valley, CA 92884 760. 365.6694	Kerley, Sarah 1146 N. Central Ave #611 Glendale, CA 91202 818.241.4041
Anderson, Gael 8353 Camelia Riverside, CA 92504 951.688.5210	Kityk, Jerry 900 El Dorado Dr. Fullerton, CA 92832 562.865.4990 Hm: 714.447.1788
Anderson, Karl 1049 Via Altamira Palm Springs, Ca. 92262 760.320.3678 760.320.2421	Lubitz, Julie Ann 274 Sharp Place Encinitas, CA 92024 760.753.5997
Baustian, Kenneth F. 26820 Cherry Hill Bl, #3 Sun City, CA 92595 951.679.2610	Martin, Kenneth E. 837 Wetherly St. Hemet, CA 92545
Cummins, Kenneth 4041 MacArthur Bl. Ste. 270 Newport Beach, Ca. 92660 949.833.8565	Maxwell, Linda P.O. Box 1914 Upland, CA 91786 909.982.5723
Davidson, Christie 25 East State Street Redlands, Ca. 92373 909.793.4011	May, Mark 11525 Lone Desert Dr Reno, NV 89506 775.745.6468
Davy, Jr., Maurice E. 5955 Intervale Dr. Riverside, Ca. 92506 951.201.7627	Moore, Michelle 78000 Fred Waring #204 Palm Desert, CA 92211 760.836.9052
Dean II, Lawrence 25 East State Street Redlands, CA 92373-4753 951.793.4011	Olund, Ronald B. 471 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Suite 209 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.8857
Doten, David 1311 Matterhorn Dr. Riverside, Ca. 92506 951.780.0280	Pierson, Prince 81-900 Avenue 52, #01 Indio, Ca. 92201-8815 760.398.0212
Drew, Rodney Alan 161 S. Civic Dr, Ste 8 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.9331	Provenza, Enzo 44-100 Monterey Avenue Suite 216-3 Palm Desert, CA  92260 760.779.1470
DuCasse, Marion 10060 White Water Rd Moreno Valley, CA 951.242.8996	Prunty, David M. 2002 Paseo Roseta Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.7741 760.285.1383
Engel, D. Joyce 161 S. Civic Dr., Ste. 8 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.9331	Quail, May 23466 Via Solana Moreno Valley, CA. 92557
Erickson-Taube, Christina 25 East State Street Redlands, Ca. 92373 909.793.4011	Radder, Kathy, C. P.O. Box 56464 Riverside CA 92517-1364 951.788.1282
Finerty, Cynthia D. 74900 Hwy. 111,  Ste. 120 Indian Wells, Ca. 92210 760.836.1954	Robertson, Pamela Jane P.O. Box 1147 Murrieta, Ca. 92564 951.764.2779
Fort, Colin D. 1053 Passiflora Ave. Encinitas, CA  92024 760.634.3839	Sanchez, Enrique 75-496 Palm Shadow Dr Indian Wells CA 92210 760.910.3222
Handwerker, Judith A. P.O. Box 1147 Murrieta, CA 92564-1147 951.698.0770	Scott, Melodie Z. 25 East State Street Redlands, CA 92373 951.793.4011
Henricks, Ruth 25757 Redlands Bl Redlands, CA 92373 951.769.6881	Sheinin, Joseph 4129 Main Street, #302 Riverside, CA 92501 951.684.2558
Hlavaty, W.A. 10336 Emerson Road Oak Hills, Ca. 92344 909.556.8569	Silva, Jr., Juan P.O. Box 8491 Palm Springs, CA 92263 760.408.1816
Hooker, Steve 471 Tahquitz Canyon, Ste 209 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.8857	Trout, E. Kay P.O. Box 1 Cathedral City, CA 92235 760.346.0158
Jandt, Richard L. 54-711 Eisenhower Dr La Quinta, CA 92553 760.564.3044	Williams, Pamela 23598 Lake Valley St. Moreno Valley, Ca. 92557 951.242.6236
Jenkins, Kenneth F. 74047 Catalina Way Palm Desert, Ca. 92260 800.928.2502	Wineke, Janice, Lynn 8130 2ND ST Downey, CA 90241
Johnston, Tasha 49005 Marimba Court La Quinta, CA 92253 760.567.7763	Young, Joann C/O Southwest Conservators 801 E. Chapman Fullerton, CA 92831 714.879.9404

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PROBATE-DECEDENT'S ESTATES

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process dealing with the administration of decedents estates.  The probate process can be very complex, time consuming and costly.  Court supervision is required before property will pass to heirs or beneficiaries.  An estate can be probated with or without a will.  A will is a document that directs the distribution of the property.  If there is no will, the property passes by way of intestate succession (Probate Code, Section 6400, et seq.).  In the probate process the court will designate a personal representative of the estate who must closely follow probate procedures and carefully account for and distribute assets.  All property must be appraised, certain items by the personal representative and other items by the assigned probate referee.  See Probate Code, Section 8800, et seq.  The court may order that the personal representative be bonded to protect the assets of the estate.

In estates where the total value of the assets are less than $100,000, certain affidavits may allow transfer of property (Probate Code, Section 13100, et seq.).  The affidavit to transfer personal property is not filed with the court.  The affidavit to transfer real property must be filed with the court and a hearing held.  Proper notice of the hearing must be given.

In certain cases, spouses may transfer property themselves without the need for a formal probate.  This requires that a petition be filed, proper notice given, and appearance at a court hearing.  See Probate Code, Section 13500, et seq.

For more information on wills, probate, trusts, and estates along with forms please visit the Judicial Council's California Self Help Center.

For forms on Decedent's Estates please visit the Judicial Council's forms webpage. Click on the drop down arrow and select alphabetically Probate - Decedent's Estates, then click the button 'See Forms.'

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ADOPTIONS

An adoption is the judicial act of creating a legal parental relationship when no biological relationship exists.

Key Points

In all adoption cases, an investigator writes a report.  The report provides important information to the judge about the adopting parent(s) and the child. 

If the child is over 12 years of age, he or she must agree to the adoption proceedings.

Stepparent adoptions require the consent or agreement of both parents unless one is deceased.

Adoption of an Indian child falls under the protection of the Indian Child Welfare Act 25 U.S. C. Normally this type of adoption means the child is a dependent of the court.  This type of adoption will normally take place in the Juvenile Division rather than the Probate Division.

All California Courts use the same basic Judicial Council forms for adoption proceedings.

For more information on adoption matters along with forms please visit the Judicial Council's California Self Help Center.

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PROBATE REFEREE

Designated probate referee's for the County of Riverside are:

Joan Scott P.O. Box 2125 Riverside, Ca. 92516-2125 Tel. 951.780.8683	William W. Scott P.O. Box 55118 Riverside, Ca. 92517 Tel. 951.682.5775
Ronald R. Easton 44489 Town Center Way, D312 Palm Desert, CA 92260 Tel. 760.341.1490 Fax 760.564.3315

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PROBATE CALENDARS/NOTES

All Probate Calendar Notes

Riverside Probate & Minor's Compensation Calendar & Court Call Guide

Email a Probate Examiner or you can contact them by phone by calling 951.955.1970.  E-mail is checked daily and you should receive a response within 24 hours.

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EX-PARTE MATTERS - DEPT. 1O

Ex Parte hearings for Dept. 10 are for urgent matters only.

They are held Monday thru Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

Reservations for ex-parte hearing dates can be made by calling 951.955.1970.

A fee of $40.00 and all ex-parte documents must be received before 11:00 a.m. the day before the chosen ex-parte hearing date.  Fee is to be paid at the Probate Clerk's Office.  Documents may be taken to the department secretary or left with the clerk's office for pickup.

Documents to be submitted: Ex-parte petition or application, supporting declarations and points and authorities, declaration regarding urgency (may be included in application), proposed order, declaration regarding notice to any and all parties entitled to notice.  Leave originals and at least one copy with the court.

Remember that 24-hour notice to parties is required for ex-parte hearings. 
Notice requirements are strictly observed by this court.

Guardianship matters require a 5-day personal service of notice on natural parents of minors, giving them 5 days to respond to the court.  Minors who will come under the guardianship must be personally served with notice if they are age 12 or older.

Conservatorship matters require a 5-day personal service of notice upon the proposed conservatee.

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HOW TO REQUEST COPIES

Requests for copies is $.50 per page.  If certification is requested, an additional $15.00 per document will be assessed.

Please provide the following information:

• Petitioner's name
• Case Number
• Specific documents requested

To request copies by mail, submit a check payable to 'Clerk of the Court.'  DO NOT SEND CASH.  If the total amount is unknown, indicated under the amount line 'not to exceed $25.00.'  The correct amount will be filled in and a receipt will be forwarded, along with the requested copies.   All checks must be preprinted with makers name and address.   Copy orders are filled within 7-10 working days.

Please include a self addressed, stamped envelope large enough to accommodate the request.

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• Documents filed less than 3 court days before hearing may not be examined and the case may be continued.   (See Local Rule 6.0101 B.4.)