Placer County Probate & Trust Attorney

Placer County runs from the fast-growing suburbs of Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln, through the foothills around Auburn, up to North Lake Tahoe. That range shows up in estates: a family home in a newer Roseville subdivision, foothill acreage, and a Tahoe cabin, often with heirs who live in Sacramento, the Bay Area, or out of state.

Lamash Legacy Law is based in Malibu. I represent executors, administrators, trustees, and beneficiaries in probate and trust matters before the Superior Court of California, County of Placer, appearing remotely where the court allows and in person when the matter requires it. I handle every case personally, in English.

The Placer County Probate Court

According to the court, probate matters in Placer County are filed and heard in the court’s Civil Division only. The court’s main courthouse is the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse in Roseville, and it also operates the Historic Courthouse in Auburn and a courthouse in Tahoe City. The department and location for your hearing appear on the notice of hearing, and that notice must be accurate before it is served on heirs and beneficiaries.

Remote appearances by Microsoft Teams

Placer County uses its own remote appearance system based on Microsoft Teams, and the rules are practical to know in advance:

• For eligible hearing types, the remote appearance is self-scheduled online no later than 15 hours before the hearing;
• Remote appearances can be scheduled only for hearings within the next 30 days;
• The court does not provide same-day links;
• Some hearing types require filing a remote appearance form instead of self-scheduling.

Missing the 15-hour cutoff can mean appearing in person or not appearing at all. I track these deadlines so that remote appearances, which help keep costs down for clients, are set up on time.

Placer County Estate Issues

Tahoe cabins and second homes

A cabin near Tahoe City, Kings Beach, or Alpine Meadows is often the asset families argue about most. Under Proposition 19, a vacation home generally does not qualify for the parent-child property tax exclusion, which is limited to a family home that becomes the child’s principal residence and to family farms. A cabin passing to children is usually reassessed. Families often need to decide whether to sell, keep and share costs, or have one sibling buy out the others, and a trust or court order can set the terms.

Newer homes, growing families

Many Placer County homeowners bought in the last 20 years and may have living trusts prepared when they bought. Trusts drafted years ago may not reflect later refinances, new property, or changes in the family. When an asset was never transferred into the trust, it may need a petition or a probate case.

Heirs in several counties

Probate is opened in the county where the decedent lived. If someone lived in Sacramento County but owned a Placer rental, the Sacramento case controls the Placer property too. For a decedent who lived out of state, ancillary probate may be needed in Placer County.

Out-of-state executors

An heir who lives outside California can serve as executor of a Placer County estate. The court may require a bond from a non-resident executor even when the will waives bond, so this should be planned for when the petition is prepared.

How I Help

• Probate Administration: full process, including remote appearance scheduling.
• Trust Administration: trustee notice, accountings, sale or distribution of Tahoe and foothill property.
• Trust & Will Contests and Beneficiary Rights.
• Conservatorships and Financial Elder Abuse.

I work with clients in Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, Granite Bay, Loomis, Newcastle, Colfax, Tahoe City, and Kings Beach. Nearby: Sacramento. Statewide: California Probate Attorney.

Placer County Probate FAQ

Which part of the Placer court handles probate? The Civil Division. Probate cases are filed and heard there only.

How do I appear remotely? Through the court’s Microsoft Teams system. For eligible hearings, schedule online at least 15 hours before the hearing; same-day links are not provided.

Will our Tahoe cabin be reassessed? Generally yes. Proposition 19’s parent-child exclusion does not cover vacation homes.

How much does probate cost? California sets statutory fees based on estate value. See How Much Does a Probate Attorney Cost in California?

Talk With a Probate Attorney About Your Placer County Matter

Call me at (424) 355-5565 or send a message. I will review your situation personally and explain your options.

Lamash Legacy Law’s office is located at 23465 Civic Center Way, #116, Malibu, CA 90265. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Contacting Lamash Legacy Law does not create an attorney-client relationship.