Gaudy Law

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New California law · effective April 2025

Is Your Loved One’s Home Worth $750,000 or Less? You May Not Need Full Probate.

California recently raised the small estate limit for a primary residence to $750,000. Families who assumed they were facing a year of probate court can often settle the estate through one simplified court petition instead. Answer a few quick questions and we’ll tell you if yours qualifies, at no cost.

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What changed in 2025

California Law recently changed allowing for a simplified process for more families.

Assembly Bill 2016 raised the value limit for California’s simplified small estate court process. Before April 1, 2025, this option was only available if a deceased loved one’s primary residence was worth less than about $185,000 — out of reach for most homeowners. Now, if the home was your loved one’s primary residence and was worth $750,000 or less at the time of death, the family may be able to skip full probate administration and settle the estate through one simplified court petition instead.

This is general information about a recent change in California law, not legal advice for your specific situation. Every estate is different.

See if you qualify

Five quick questions

  • The property was in California and was your loved one’s primary residence
  • The home was worth $750,000 or less at the time of death
  • The home was not already held in a living trust
  • At least 40 days have passed since your loved one’s passing
  • You are an heir or beneficiary entitled to the property

If that sounds like your family, you likely qualify for the simplified process. Not sure about one of these? That’s exactly what the free case review is for.

How the process works

A shorter path than traditional probate

  1. Free case review: we confirm the home qualifies and gather the basic facts.
  2. We prepare and file the petition: one streamlined court filing, not a full probate case.
  3. Required notice to heirs: California law requires every heir and beneficiary be notified.
  4. One court hearing: no lengthy creditor period or ongoing case administration.
  5. Property transferred to you: the court order lets you transfer or sell the home.

Every estate is different and the court still has to sign off, but this path is built to move in weeks and months, not the year-plus a full probate case can take.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but typically it’s one petition and one hearing, not the multi-year process a full probate case can involve.

This particular shortcut won’t apply, but the estate may still qualify for other simplified options, and we can walk you through what full probate would look like.

You may still qualify. California law determines who inherits when someone dies without a will, and the same simplified process can often still apply.

No. The initial case review is free.

Find out in one call

Find out where your family stands

Don’t spend months assuming you’re stuck in full probate. Answer a few questions and we’ll tell you if the simplified process applies.

Gaudy Law, Inc. — 267 D St, Upland, CA 91786 — (909) 982-3199

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page provides general information about a change in California law and is not legal advice; contact Gaudy Law for a free case review specific to your family’s situation.

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