Local Estate Planning Resources in Irvine, CA
Building an estate plan in Irvine often means working with more than one Orange County office. Deeds get recorded in Santa Ana, probate is heard in Costa Mesa, and death certificates come from the Clerk-Recorder. The local resources below can help you handle records, filings, and senior services on your own. If your situation involves a trust, a probate filing, or a transfer of real property, an Irvine estate planning attorney can tell you which of these steps actually apply to you.
Probate & Court Filings
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Orange County Superior Court, Probate Division
Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 · (657) 622-8452
All Orange County probate matters are heard here, no matter which city the decedent lived in. This includes decedents’ estates, wills and trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and elder abuse petitions. The Probate Clerk’s Office is on the first floor. Visit Probate Division
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Probate Self-Help Resources
Superior Court of California, County of Orange
Free forms, local probate rules, a plain-language probate glossary, and periodic workshops including a Clearing Your Probate Notes workshop offered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Visit Self-Help Probate
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Orange County Public Law Library
515 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703 · (714) 834-3397
Free public access to the California Probate Code, Judicial Council forms, and estate planning treatises. Parking is available in Civic Center lot P2. Visit Website
Deeds, Property Records & Trust Transfers
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Orange County Clerk-Recorder
Hall of Finance and Records, 12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 106, Santa Ana, CA 92701 · (714) 834-2500
Where grant deeds, trust transfer deeds, affidavits of death of joint tenant, and affidavits of death of trustee are recorded. Documents must be recorded in the county where the property sits, so Irvine property is recorded here. Branch offices in Anaheim and Laguna Hills handle most of the same services. Recording Services
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Orange County Assessor
11 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 · (714) 834-2727
Handles the reassessment questions that follow a transfer or a death, including the Change in Ownership Statement due after a property owner dies and Proposition 19 parent-to-child exclusion claims. Filing deadlines are short, so check them early. Visit Website
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Real Property Fraud Prevention Courtesy Notices
OC Clerk-Recorder · Free, no sign-up required
Orange County automatically mails the property owner a notice whenever a document affecting title is recorded. Useful protection if you are worried about deed fraud against an aging parent. Visit Website
Death Certificates & Vital Records
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OC Clerk-Recorder Vital Records
12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 106, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Issues certified death certificates, which banks, title companies, and retirement plan administrators almost always require before releasing assets. Most families need several certified copies. Complete the application online before visiting the office. Order Records
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California Secretary of State Advance Health Care Directive Registry
Optional statewide registration
You can register an advance health care directive with the state so it can be located in an emergency. Registration is optional and does not replace giving copies to your agent and your doctor. Visit Website
Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
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Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 [VERIFY address]
Orange County’s pro bono law firm. Runs guardianship of the person clinics in partnership with the Superior Court and assists qualifying low-income residents with wills and related matters. Visit Website
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Legal Aid Society of Orange County
(800) 834-5001 [VERIFY phone and address]
Free civil legal assistance for income-eligible Orange County residents, including elder law and consumer matters. Visit Website
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Orange County Bar Association Lawyer Referral
State Bar certified referral service [VERIFY phone]
Connects Orange County residents with screened attorneys by practice area, including estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Visit Website
Seniors, Caregivers & Elder Protection
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OC Office on Aging (Area Agency on Aging)
1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, CA 92705 · (800) 510-2020 or (714) 480-6450
The county’s central information line for older adults and caregivers. Multilingual assistance is available, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit Website
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Council on Aging Southern California
Medicare counseling (714) 560-0424 · Long-Term Care Ombudsman (800) 300-6222 · Financial abuse prevention (714) 479-0107
Nonprofit serving Orange County since 1973. Offers free Medicare counseling, advocacy for residents of skilled nursing and residential care facilities, and education on avoiding financial predators. Visit Website
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Orange County Adult Protective Services
(800) 451-5155, 24 hours [VERIFY number]
Report suspected financial exploitation, neglect, or abuse of an older or dependent adult. Financial elder abuse frequently surfaces during trust and probate administration. Visit Website
Locating Assets & Survivor Benefits
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California State Controller Unclaimed Property
Free statewide search
Search for dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, and insurance proceeds held by the state in a decedent’s name. A common step when settling an estate with incomplete records. Search Property
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Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213 · Local Santa Ana field office [VERIFY address]
Handles survivor benefits and the lump-sum death payment. A death generally must be reported to Social Security, and benefits paid for the month of death may need to be returned. Visit Website
These resources are provided for general information only. Court staff and county clerks can explain procedures and forms, but they are not permitted to give legal advice about your specific situation. Contact information changes, so confirm hours and addresses before visiting.
