Detailed answer — clear steps under California law

When a parent dies who has connections in more than one state, you will usually deal with probate where the decedent was domiciled (their permanent home). If your parent was domiciled in California, California probate law governs administration of the probate estate. Real property or certain assets located in another state may require additional steps (often called ancillary administration) in the state where that property sits. Below are practical, ordered steps to help you plan and act.

1) Confirm domicile, find the will and collect key documents

• Confirm where your parent was domiciled (their permanent home). Probate normally opens in the county and state of domicile.
• Locate the original will (if any), trust documents, title records, deeds, beneficiary designations (life insurance, retirement accounts), account statements, property records, and any transfer-on-death or beneficiary deed.
• Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate from the county recorder or vital records office.

2) Identify non-probate vs. probate assets

Assets that pass outside probate include:

• Assets owned jointly with rights of survivorship.
• Accounts with payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations.
• Assets held in a revocable trust.
• Life insurance or retirement benefits with named beneficiaries.

Non-probate assets usually transfer directly to the named beneficiary and may not require probate administration.

3) Decide if formal probate in California is required

Whether you must open a California probate case depends on the value and type of assets that are probate property (i.e., property titled only in the decedent’s name without beneficiary designations). If the estate’s probate assets are small, simplified procedures or small-estate affidavits may be available. See California Courts’ probate self-help information for forms and options: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-probate.htm. For statutory details about collection without full probate see the California Probate Code (search the code at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml?lawCode=PROB).

4) If you open probate in California: appointment, letters, duties

• File a petition for probate in the superior court of the county where your parent lived. The court will appoint a personal representative (executor or administrator) and issue letters that authorize the representative to act for the estate.
• The personal representative must inventory estate assets, notify heirs and creditors, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute the remainder according to the will or California intestacy rules if no will exists.
• Use the court’s forms and local rules. California Courts’ probate pages list common forms and steps: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-probate.htm.

5) Handling real property or other assets located in another state (ancillary administration and alternatives)

Property located in another state (real estate, bank accounts, vehicles) will usually be subject to the law of the state where it is located. Common approaches:

• Ancillary probate: After a California personal representative is appointed, that person can apply for ancillary letters in the other state to transfer title to the out-of-state property. Ancillary proceedings allow a court in the other state to authorize transfer or sale of the property there.
• Direct transfer alternatives: Some states allow transfer of out-of-state property using a certified copy of California letters and a certified copy of the death certificate without a full ancillary probate, especially if the property is a bank account or vehicle. Other states permit small-estate affidavits or simplified procedures for modest-value assets.
• Non-probate devices: If the out-of-state property already passes via joint tenancy, TOD deed, beneficiary designation, or a trust, it may transfer without any probate in the other state.
• Check the laws where the property sits: Procedures vary widely by state. Contact the recorder’s office (for real property), motor vehicle department, or local courthouse in the state where the property sits to learn required documents and whether ancillary probate is necessary.

6) Practical sequence you can follow

1. Gather documents, obtain certified death certificates, and secure assets (change locks, secure valuables, notify banks).
2. Determine what passes outside probate and collect those assets for beneficiaries.
3. If probate in California is needed, file the petition and seek appointment of a personal representative. That person can immediately use letters to access accounts and manage estate business.
4. Once letters are issued, use them to petition for ancillary letters in the other state or follow that state’s small-estate or transfer procedures.
5. Complete inventories, pay debts and taxes, sell or transfer property as the estate requires, and distribute remaining assets consistent with the will or intestacy rules.

7) Taxes, deadlines, and creditor notices

• California state filing and possible federal estate tax rules may apply depending on the estate size. Consult a tax adviser for larger estates.
• Probate courts require notice to heirs and likely publication or notice to creditors; follow court deadlines closely to minimize liability for the personal representative.
• Ancillary actions in other states may have their own filing deadlines and requirements.

8) When to get an attorney

Consider hiring a California-licensed probate attorney if:

• The estate has significant probate assets or complex assets located in multiple states.
• There are disputes among heirs, unclear titles, or unusual debts.
• You need to open ancillary probate in another state or coordinate tax filings across states.

An attorney can prepare petitions, represent the personal representative in court, and help coordinate ancillary proceedings in other states through local counsel.

Key California resources

• California Courts – Probate Self-Help: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-probate.htm
• California Probate Code (searchable): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml?lawCode=PROB
• For small-estate procedures and collection without full probate, see the Probate Code and related court forms on the California Courts site and the Legislature’s site above (search for “small estate” or “collection of personal property”).

Helpful hints

• Obtain several certified copies of the death certificate right away — many institutions require an original-certified copy to release assets.
• Check beneficiary designations (retirement accounts, life insurance) before starting probate; these pass outside probate and may reduce the estate’s probate footprint.
• Look for a revocable trust and trust instructions — property titled in a trust may avoid probate entirely.
• If property in another state is low value, ask that state’s recorder, DMV, or courts about small-estate affidavit options before opening ancillary probate.
• Keep clear records and copies of all court filings, letters, notices, and communications with creditors — the personal representative has legal duties and potential liability for mistakes.
• Coordinate with local counsel in the state where the out-of-state property is located if ancillary probate becomes necessary. Local counsel will know the state’s particular requirements and forms.
• Use a checklist: locate will, get death certificates, secure property, inventory assets, determine non‑probate assets, decide whether to open probate, and then address out-of-state property needs.