For years, transferring a deceased parent's home meant full probate — often 9 to 18 months and tens of thousands of dollars in statutory fees. California's AB 2016 changed that for many families.
For deaths on or after April 1, 2025, a primary residence worth up to $750,000 can pass by one court petition
For deaths on or after April 1, 2025, the succession petition now reaches a primary residence worth up to $750,000. Instead of a full probate administration, heirs can use a single streamlined court petition — Form DE-310 (Probate Code §13151) — to transfer the family home.
The process still has real steps: a probate referee appointed by the State Controller, whom you select for the county, appraises the home to confirm it's within the limit, and there's one court hearing. For deaths before April 1, 2025, the lower earlier limits apply. But it's far lighter, faster, and cheaper than opening a formal probate.
The new limit helps families whose home was titled in the decedent's name alone
This is a genuine opportunity for families where the home was titled in the decedent's name alone — no joint tenancy, no survivorship, no trust, no transfer-on-death deed — and is worth up to $750,000 (deaths on or after April 1, 2025). If that's you, you may be able to skip full probate entirely.
- See the full walkthrough: Succession to a primary residence (California).
- Not sure which path fits your situation? Start with Do I Need Probate in California? or check the current small-estate limits & thresholds.
The fastest way to find out whether your home qualifies is to answer a few questions about how it's titled and what it's worth.
Not sure which path is yours?
Answer a few questions about the estate — it takes about 2 minutes.