Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Re: Filing Notice of Death and Inventory and Appraisal

Without knowing all of your facts, I would tell you the following. At this point, you need to file a form called Change in Ownership Statement/Death of Real Property Owner (Form C). Although, in our experience, this form may not even be necessary. If you file an original and three copies of the Inventory, the court will notify the assessor's office and they will send you all the paperwork you need. The property will be transferred at the close of the probate either by separte order or, if you include the legal description, in your order of final distribution.

You mentioned an Affidavit of Death. Usually these forms are associated with joint tenancy. Joint tenancy interests are not subject to probate, although sometimes you have to use them to clear up old interests. For instance, if your aunt was the joint tenant and had passed away before your uncle, you would need to remove your aunt's name from title via the Affidavit of Joint Tenant.

Good luck.