ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Probate Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Robert Half

Probate Litigation Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $150K/yr

Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda. * Prepare, serve, and respond to written discovery ... Experience with probate, trusts, estates, family law, business litigation, or transactional matters ...

SEAN DE VORE INC

Be Seen First

Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Attorney

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Conduct research * Attend and conduct Depositions and Mediations through Trial * Negotiate ... Probate * Proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat ...

SEAN DE VORE INC

Be Seen First

Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Attorney

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Conduct research * Attend and conduct Depositions and Mediations through Trial * Negotiate ... Probate * Proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProbate Researcher JobsProbate Researcher Jobs in California

Probate Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do probate researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for probate researcher in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a probate researcher?

A Probate Researcher traces heirs and beneficiaries of estates when someone passes away without a known will or next of kin. They investigate family trees, review legal documents, and use genealogical research to identify rightful heirs. Probate Researchers often work with solicitors, councils, or probate firms to ensure estates are distributed correctly. Their role requires analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of inheritance laws.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a probate researcher?

To thrive as a Probate Researcher, you need strong research skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of genealogy and legal documentation, often supported by relevant experience or a background in legal studies or history. Familiarity with online public records databases, genealogy software, and document management systems is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, persistence, and analytical thinking are key soft skills that help build thorough and accurate case files. These skills and tools are essential for efficiently locating heirs and assets, ensuring the integrity and success of probate investigations.

What are some typical challenges a probate researcher faces in their daily work?

Probate Researchers often encounter incomplete or inaccurate records, uncooperative sources, and cases that require tracing complex family histories across different countries and languages. You may need to be persistent and creative in locating hard-to-find heirs or verifying information through various legal and historical documents. Collaboration with attorneys, courts, and sometimes international agencies is common, as is balancing multiple concurrent cases with differing levels of difficulty. These challenges make problem-solving skills and adaptability crucial for success and can offer a rewarding sense of accomplishment when a case is resolved.

What are the most commonly searched types of Probate Researcher jobs in California? The most popular types of Probate Researcher jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Probate Researcher jobs in California? For Probate Researcher jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Probate Researcher jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Probate Researcher jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Probate Researcher jobs? Cities in California with the most Probate Researcher job openings:
Probate Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Probate Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Paralegal Estate Planning & Probate (Mission Valley)

Weissler Law Group

San Diego, CA • On-site

$48K - $52K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Small law firm seeks a Paralegal with at least entry level experience in probate, estate planning, and elder law. We are a client focused firm which puts emphasis on making clients feel that they are important to us and that we care about them. Paralegal certificate or equivalent required. Attorney is willing to invest time and money to build the right person's skills.

For this position you must be:

  • Able to handle interruptions well and get back on task;
  • Know probate filing and estate planning basics;
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team;
  • Comfortable using technology and able to learn new applications;
  • Able to proficiently use Microsoft's Office Suite;
  • A notary or are willing and able to become a notary.

Big Plus if you:

  • Have experience with estate planning software;
  • Have experience handling routine probate document preparation;
  • Are experienced with law firm practice management and billing software (we use Leap);
  • Are a notary;
  • Have experience using CEB's library research platform and Lexis Practice Advisor.


If you want a position where you can learn and expand your professional skills, please submit your resume and an introductory cover letter that includes letting us know the best method and time to contact you so that we can set a time to meet in person.

Company Description

We are an independent law firm devoted to working with clients to help them prepare for and navigate through life cycle events. We counsel clients facing a broad range of estate planning, asset protection, elder law, public entitlement, wealth transfer, and probate issues. We co-counsel with a number of other firms to make more sophisticated representation available for their clients.