Probate Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description NOW HIRING: PROBATE EXAMINER The Superior Court is seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented Probate Examiner to join our team. Under broad supervision, the Probate Examiner performs a wide range of probate assignments requiring advanced expertise in probate policies, practices, and procedures. This position plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy and legal sufficiency of filings and supporting the public's access to the probate process.

Key Responsibilities Review and process pleadings, petitions, and accounts in probate matters, ensuring compliance with all applicable statutory and procedural requirements. Apply advanced knowledge of probate law, court rules, and internal procedures to evaluate the sufficiency of submitted documents. Provide guidance and respond to inquiries from court staff, litigants, attorneys, and members of the public regarding probate requirements, processes, and timelines.

Serve as a resource for complex or escalated probate matters. RECRUITMENT TIMELINE: The Court will accept applications until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied, and this recruitment may close at any time without notice. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early, with priority consideration given to those who submit their materials by JUNE 25, 2026.

About the position Under broad supervision, performs a range of probate assignments requiring the use of advanced specialized knowledge of probate policies, practices and procedures; reviews and processes pleadings and accounts in probate matters, ensuring their sufficiency with all applicable legal requirements; addresses questions from other court staff, litigants, attorneys and the public regarding probate statutory requirements and legal processes and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned. Distinguishing Characteristics A Probate Examiner provides paraprofessional legal assistance on the technical and procedural aspects of probate law, applying probate rules, policies, procedures and practices in carrying out difficult and detailed processes, often involving the use of problem-solving skills to ensure all court requirements are met and the rights of litigants and claimants are safeguarded. Incumbents are expected to correctly interpret and explain legal probate requirements and judicial orders to court staff, litigants and attorneys.

Incumbents perform the final examination on probate case files prior to hearing in the Superior Court, and recommends court approval on matters that are in order and may be approved by petition. Probate Examiner is distinguished from Paralegal in that incumbents in the former class perform highly specialized and responsible probate examination/processing duties requiring specialized knowledge of probate court policies, practices and procedures and the ability to interpret and apply established policies and procedures to probate cases and claims. For full position details, please visit the job description: Probate Examiner Essential Functions Examines pleadings and reviews the accountings of a variety of pending probate case files set for hearing by the court for compliance with jurisdictional and procedural requirements of statutes and rules; notes deficiencies when identified; recommends approval to a judicial officer those cases in good order; prepares notes on probate calendar; discusses probate notes with attorneys, paralegals and court staff as needed; may attend court hearings and provide consultation on procedural matters.

Prepares written analyses and calendar notes for judicial officers, ascertaining relevant facts, identifying statutory issues and deficiencies, and determining potential harm to estates in probate/ conservatorship/guardianship/trusts; makes recommendations on resolving deficiencies based on statutory requirements; provides alternative recommendations and instructs where statutes provide discretion to the court. Examines accountings for mathematical accuracy, investments, sufficient bond and compliance with prior court orders, breach of fiduciary duties; recommends appropriate surcharge, if applicable. Examines reasonableness of applications from fiduciaries and attorneys for fee requests following established guidelines and Rules of court; reviews billing statements against accounting and accuracy for services rendered; recommends payment or reduction.

Examines proposed distribution of estates to beneficiaries against decedents' wills by intestate succession; makes calendar notes to the judicial officer. Examines document images on laserfiche as filed in both form and pleading formats for petitions for appointment of guardianship or conservatorship, petitions for instructions, reports of sale of residences, petitions for substituted judgment, petitions for termination, annual reports and accountings of conservatorships of the estate, and other miscellaneous conservatorship matters. Examines and analyzes Court Investigator reports to determine the needs of conservatees and ensures money spent in an accounting period is appropriate.

Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications A Paralegal Certificate or associate degree with four (4) years of experience in a court, private law office or public conservator office; or graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university and two (2) years of experience in a court, private law office or public administrator/public conservator office; or a Juris Doctor degree and six (6) months of experience in a court, private law office or public administrator/public conservator office. Physical Characteristics REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process may contact the Human Resources Office at (909) 521-3700 or via email at careers@sb-court.org. Individuals with hearing and/or speech impairments may also contact the recruiter for this position through the use of the California Relay Service by dialing 711.