Probate law topics include wills, trusts, estate planning, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships. You can find additional materials on probate law by browsing the library shelves near the listed books or by searching the library catalog.
SELF-HELP RESOURCES
This material is written for people representing themselves and for attorneys. These do-it-yourself guides provide simple instructions for completing various probate matters.
(a) Conservatorships & Guardianships
- The Conservatorship Book for California, published by Nolo, KFC112 .G65 (Self Help, Branch)
- The Guardianship Book for California, published by Nolo, KFC134 .Z9G65 (Ref. Desk, Branch)
- "Guardianship: Probate Court," California Courts Self-Help Center, on the Internet at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/family/guardianship/ Also available in Spanish.
- Handbook for Conservators, published by Judicial Council of California, KFC112 .Z9W57. (Cal. Law, Ref. Desk, Branch) This handbook is also online at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/seniors/handbook.htm Also available in Spanish.
- "Duties of a Conservator," California Courts Self-Help Center, on the Internet at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/seniors/duties.htm Also available in Spanish.
- "With Heart: Understanding Conservatorship" online video, Alameda County Bar Association
http://easylink.playstream.com/aocstream/cfcc/access/alameda_conserv.wvx This video satisfies Sacramento County's requirement that prospective conservators view an approved videotaped presentation on the duties and responsibilities of conservators. (Local Rule 15.104).
(b) Probate and Estate Administration
- How to Probate an Estate in California, published by Nolo, KFC205 .Z9N57 (Self Help, Ref. Desk)
- The Executor's Guide, published by Nolo, KF778 .Z9 R36 (Self Help, Branch)
- Executors and Personal Representatives, published by Oceana Pubs., KF755 .Z9 J37 (Self Help)
(c) Trusts
- Make Your Own Living Trust, published by Nolo, KF734 .Z9C57 (General, Ref. Desk, Self Help, Branch)
- Wills & Trusts, published by Oceana Publications, KF755 .Z9H65 (Branch)
- Special Needs Trust: Protect Your Child's Financial Future, published by Nolo, KF750 .Z9 E45 (General)
(d) Wills and Estate Planning
- Make Your Own California Will, published by Sphinx Publishing, KFC201 .Z9 G63 (Self Help, Ref. Desk, Branch)
- Como Hacer su Propio Testamento, published by Sphinx Publishing, KF755 .Z9 W3518 (Spanish Self Help, Branch)
- Nolo's Simple Will Book, published by Nolo, KF755 .Z9C54 (General, Self Help, Ref. Desk)
- Plan Your Estate, published by Nolo, KF750 .Z9 (General, Self Help, Branch)
- Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To, published by Nolo, KFC750 .29 C85 (Self Help)
LEGAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS & LAW SUMMARIES
California legal encyclopedias and law summaries provide a summary of California law on specific topics, including several probate law topics. These materials include references to applicable statutes and cases. Attorneys and people representing themselves may find these resources useful.
- California Jurisprudence (Cal Jur) Third, published by West Publishing, KFC80 .C35 (Cal. Law) Probate law topics include "Decedents' Estates," "Guardianship and Conservatorship," "Wills," and "Trusts."
- Summary of Cal. Law, 10th Edition, published by the Witkin Legal Institute, KFC80.W57 (Cal. Law, Branch). Probate topics include "Wills and Probate" and "Trusts."
PRACTICE GUIDES
Although practice guides are written for attorneys, people representing themselves may also find these resources useful. These materials provide more detailed information than the self-help books.
(a) Conservatorships & Guardianships
- California Conservatorship Practice, published by Cal. CEB, KFC112 .J6 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Guardianship Practice, published by Cal. CEB, KFC134 .C35 (Cal. Law, Branch)
(b) Probate and Estate Administration
- California Decedent Estate Practice, published by California CEB, KFC210 .C35 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Probate Practice, published by Matthew Bender, KFC205 .A6C2 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Probate Workflow Manual, published by California CEB, KFC205 .C34 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Practice Guide: Probate, published by the Rutter Group, KFC205 .A65R6 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Civil Practice: Probate and Trust Proceedings, published by Bancroft-Whitney, KFC205 .A6B36 (Cal. Law, Branch)
(c) Trusts
- California Trust Administration, publisher by California CEB, KFC488 .D46 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Trust Practice, published by Matthew Bender, KFC188 .H37 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- Drafting California Irrevocable Trusts, published by California CEB, KFC188 .D72 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- Drafting California Revocable Living Trusts, published by California CEB, KFC188 .C62 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- Revocable Trusts, published Shepard's McGraw Hill, KF734 .T87 (Branch)
(d) Wills and Estate Planning
- California Wills & Trusts, published by Matthew Bender, KFC201 .A65C35 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Will Drafting, published by California CEB, KFC201 .C34W5 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Estate Planning, published by California CEB, KFC195 .A16C3 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- Family Estate Planning Guide, published by Clark-Boardman Callaghan, KF750 .H37 (Branch)
FORMS
Formbooks contain copies and/or examples of documents and forms used in probate proceedings. Some formbooks include copies of completed documents and forms to provide guidance for completing these papers.
- California Wills & Trusts Forms, published by Matthew Bender, KFC201. A65C35F (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Legal Forms Transaction Guide, Chapters 60 to 74, Wills and Trusts, published by Matthew Bender, KFC68 .C32 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Code Forms: Probate, published by West Publishing Co., KFC30.W482. (Cal. Law, Branch)
- Law Office Procedures Manual, published by the Rutter Group, KFC77 .L44 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- Nolo's Law Form Kit: Wills, published by Nolo, KF755 .A9C5 (Self Help, General, Branch)
- California Judicial Council forms are available online:
- Sacramento County local forms are available online:
- Selected forms are available on the Library's website:
STATUTES AND COURT RULES
(a) Statutes
The California Probate Code governs probate proceedings in California. The Probate Code is available at the library in annotated form (includes summaries of cases interpreting probate laws) and unannotated form (includes only the laws). The Probate Code is also freely available on the Internet.
- Deering's California Probate Code Annotated, published by Bancroft-Whitney, KFC30.5 .D4P76 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- West's Annotated California Probate Code, published by West Publishing Co.,
KFC30 .W48P76 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Probate Code (unannotated), published by West Publishing Co.,
KFC30.5 .W4C59 (Cal. Law, Ref. Desk, Branch)
- The California Probate Code (unannotated) is available on the Internet from the California State Legislature's website at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
(b) Court Rules
Probate proceedings in California are governed by the California Rules of Court. Many California counties also have local probate court rules. The state and local county court rules are available at the library and on the Internet.
- California Local Probate Rules, published by California CEB, KFC205 .A4 (Cal. Law, Branch)
- California Rules of Court - State, published by West Group, KFC995 .A21 (Cal. Law, Ref. Desk, Branch)
- Court Rules, published by the Daily Journal Corp., KFC992 .A21 (Ref. Desk, Branch). Contains California state court rules and all California local court rules.
- All California State Court rules are available on the Internet at the California State Courts website at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/rules/
PROBATE ASSISTANCE
Probate assistance is available at the Family Law Facilitator's office at the Family Relations Courthouse, Room 113, 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento (Monday through Thursday). You may be scheduled for a guardianship or conservatorship workshop if it is appropriate in your case.
updated 8/08 kf