How long after death do I need to file for probate in California?

Are you sure probate is necessary? If her estate is under $150,000 then you don’t have to go through full probate. Since you are in CA....if probable is necessary, since there is no will you have up to 1 year to complete probate.

In my state its something like 11 days so I think you can go to probate.

In my state, if no Executor an Administrator is assigned. If the estate is under 20k, an affidavit is filled out.

Sorry to here about your Mom.