Probate Examiner

Ventura Superior Court is accepting applications to fill a vacancy and establish a list for future vacancies.
First Application Review: May 8, 2026

Under general supervision by the Legal Research Senior Attorney and the General Counsel/Director of Legal Services, incumbent in this classification performs diverse, complex and specialized probate assignments requiring the use of advanced specialized knowledge of Probate Code, applicable Rules of Court and Local Rules, and court policies, practices and procedures; reviews and processes complex probate documents, ensuring their completeness and compliance with all applicable legal requirements; answers questions from judicial officers, other court staff, litigants, attorneys and the public regarding probate requirements and legal processes and procedures. Performs related duties as assigned.

Probate Examiners provide paraprofessional legal assistance to one or more Probate Legal Research Attorneys and the assigned judicial officer. Incumbents in this classification are expected to apply probate statutes, rules, policies, procedures, and practices in carrying out complex and detailed processes, often involving the use of problem-solving skills to ensure all legal requirements are met and the rights of wards and conservatees and the interests of estates are faithfully observed. Incumbents are expected to correctly interpret and explain applicable legal requirements and judicial orders to court staff, litigants and attorneys. Work performed of substantive legal impact may be under the direction and technical review of one/or more Legal Research Probate Attorney(s).

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews the documents in the court file, and determines the substantive and procedural status of the case.
• Audits accountings for mathematical accuracy, propriety of investments, compliance with law and prior court orders, and breach of fiduciary duties.
• Recommends appropriate surcharge, if applicable. Identifies relevant facts and potential harm to estates.
• Analyzes court investigator reports to identify relevant facts and findings; determines and recommends needs of wards and conservatees.
• Verifies accuracy and propriety of facts and acts reported in accountings, and recommends appropriate action.
• Evaluates propriety of proposed distribution of estates against decedent's will and/or intestate succession, as applicable.
• Verifies licensing status with the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau for private conservator and guardians.
• Provides recommendations concerning what action should be taken by the court concerning each hearing, including whether petitions should be approved, denied, continued, or taken off the court calendar.
• Summarizes the subject of each hearing, including the relief being requested in the pleadings, whether that relief can be granted under law, and if not whether similar relief would be authorized by law.
• Recommends findings, sufficient bond, and setting of hearings or time standards as required by law and court procedures.
• Identifies procedural and substantive deficiencies in pleadings.
• Identifies factual or legal issues that the judicial officer must consider with reference to the documents, legal authority, or other factors to be considered.
• Updates probate workups, including those written by other court staff, based on new documents filed and new events that have occurred in the case.
• Reviews orders, both before and after the hearing, and recommends whether the order is appropriate or should be rejected or modified.
• Discusses probate workups with attorneys, litigants, and court staff as needed.
• Explains any document deficiencies and identifies acceptable methods to cure deficiencies.
• Prepares written analyses for the judicial officer.
• Attends (as directed) court hearings and provides consultation on procedural matters.
• Assists in preparation and presentation of continuing education materials to local entities, including county bar association.
• Maintains statistical data regarding work performed.
• Troubleshoots difficult and sensitive probate situations; acts as liaison between the probate department, other units, and departments involved in probate processes and courtroom staff.
• Complete assignments or tasks from the court’s Legal Research Senior Attorney and General Counsel/Director of Legal Services and provides assistance and support to both, as needed.
• Accesses computerized case management systems and databases to retrieve information; makes complex updates to case records in automated case management systems; generates reports.

Option 1:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution; and

Experience: Two years of employment experience with a court, a public or private law office in a probate-related capacity; a public administrator, public guardian or public conservator; or a private professional fiduciary.

Option 2:

Education: A paralegal certificate or an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited educational institution; and

Experience: Four years of employment experience with a court, a public or private law office in a probate-related capacity; a public administrator, public guardian or public conservator; or a private professional fiduciary.

Option 3:

Education: A juris doctor degree from an educational institution approved by the American Bar Association or accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California; and

Experience: Six months of employment experience with a court, a public or private law office in a probate-related capacity; a public administrator, public guardian or public conservator; or a private professional fiduciary.

Substitutions: None

Additional continuing education: Requirements must be met annually pursuant to the criteria outlined in the California Rule of Court, rule 10.478.

Knowledge of:

• Legal authorities pertaining to the preparation, acceptance, and processing of probate documents, including provisions of the Probate Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Health and Safety Code, Family Code, California Rules of Court, Local Rules, and applicable case law; legal terminology and documents used in probate court proceedings; fiduciary accounting and auditing practices and procedures; investments authorized under the Probate Code; methods and sources for legal research;
• General functions and organization of the California judicial system, including the divisions of the Superior Court; the roles and functions of State and County agencies, and local organizations providing legal aid services; court policies and procedures governing probate operations; office administrative practices and procedures, including record keeping and filing; regulations and procedures governing the maintenance and disclosure of public records; use and operation of automated case management systems; case and file records research methods and techniques; principles and practices of customer service and e-mail and telephone etiquette; correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Read, understand, correctly interpret, explain and apply statutes, rules, legal terms, policies and procedures, forms, pleadings, judicial orders, accountings, and financial account statements in carrying out job assignments accurately and efficiently;
• Quickly locate applicable statutes in the Probate Code, including the appropriate division, part, and chapter controlling the applicable issue;
• Initiate and complete complex and detailed assignments with minimal supervision;
• Analyze complex data to correctly identify problems and develop valid conclusions;
• Stay up-to-date on new/developing laws, forms and legal information relevant to the assignment;
• Type at a level of speed and accuracy necessary to perform assigned duties;
• Operate a computer using standard business software and operate other standard office equipment;
• Work in an environment that includes frequent interruptions, simultaneous attention to multiple tasks and meeting established deadlines;
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, orally and in writing, in English and appropriate legal terminology;
• Respect limits of authority;
• Deal courteously, efficiently, and tactfully with the public, judges, attorneys, and personnel of the Superior Court and other County and State offices;
• Maintain confidentiality of court documents and records;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, court staff, other agency employees, members of the public and others encountered in the course of work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work in an environment that includes frequent interruptions and simultaneous attention to multiple tasks.
• Ability to grasp and/or manipulate files, binders, pieces of paper or small objects.
• Ability to prepare or inspect court records, documents or office equipment.
• Frequent hand, fingers and/or wrist motion.
• Reaching at or above shoulder level.
• Ability to communicate effectively, by phone or in person, to understand and/or convey detailed important information or instruction.
• Ability to work alone or closely with others.
• Minimal bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, or working on irregular surfaces.
• May require movement throughout the courthouse delivering and/or retrieving forms, files, materials and information to and from other departments, including lifting file boxes, files or binders up to 10 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Shared office environment with varying degrees of hot and cold air.
• Requires exposure to dust, printer or fax machine toner.
• Requires ability to travel to other court locations.
• Must be able to traverse indoors and outdoors, over uneven ground and pavement in all types of weather.
• Frequent interruptions, with high volume of telephone and personal interaction.