Civil Division
Adoption
Adoption is a legal process whereby a person becomes a parent of a child with all moral and legal obligations accompanying the relationship as if the two were biological child and parent.
Civil
The Civil Division provides legal processing services to individuals and businesses in the areas of Family Law, Probate Guardianships/Conservatorships, Mental Health, General Civil (both limited and unlimited jurisdictions), Small Claims and Unlawful Detainers. This division also provides services for Juvenile Dependency and Juvenile Delinquency.
Civil and Family Voluntary Mediation (Non-Custody Issues)
Most civil and family law disputes are resolved without filing a lawsuit, and most civil lawsuits are resolved without a trial. To facilitate case settlement, the Court encourages litigants to consider mediation as an alternative to traditional forms of settling a disagreement. It is generally less formal, less expensive, and less time-consuming than a trial.
Civil and Family Voluntary Mediation (Non-Custody Issues)
Probate
Probate is the legal process of validating a will, supervising the administration of a will, and making distribution of estate assets to beneficiaries. The probate process can be very complex, time consuming and costly. Court supervision is required before property will pass to your heirs. In the probate process, the court will designate an administrator of the estate who must closely follow probate procedures and deliberately and carefully account for and distribute assets. The administrator must value all assets, notify and pay creditors, and often become involved in disputes over the validity of meaning of a will.
Statewide Registry of Private Conservators, Guardians and Trustees
Conservatorship and Guardianship Augmented Bond Calculator
For additional information on Probate matters, you may call the Napa Superior Court Civil Division at (707) 299-1130.
Family Law
The Family Law court has jurisdiction over cases involving marital and domestic partnership relationships, relationships between parents and children, and domestic violence matters.
Small Claims
The amount in dispute may not exceed $10,000 for a natural person. If you are filing on behalf of a business the limit of your claim may not exceed $5,000.
Unlawful Detainer
Keeping possession of real property without a right, such as after a lease has expired, after being served with a notice to quit (vacate, leave) for non-payment of rent or other breach of lease, or being a "squatter" on the property. Such possession entitles the owner to file a lawsuit for "unlawful detainer," asking for possession by court order, unpaid rent and damages. A legal action to evict a tenant or other occupier of real property in possession, without a legal right, to declare a breach of lease, and/or a judgment for repossession, as well as unpaid rent and other damages. Such lawsuits have priority over most legal cases and therefore will be calendared for trial promptly.