California Probate Forms: Complete DE-Series Form List

California probate forms mostly come from the Judicial Council of California and use the DE (Decedents Estates) numbering series. Knowing which forms you need at each stage helps you prepare for the process and understand what your attorney, the probate clerk, and the Superior Court are asking for.

This April 2026 update reflects current Judicial Council form titles, the April 2025 revisions to the California small-estate real-property forms, and the latest California Courts self-help form finder. Use it alongside our California probate guide, California executor duties guide, and California Notice of Proposed Action guide when you are actively preparing a filing.

This California probate forms guide focuses on the statewide Judicial Council forms most families see in a standard estate administration. For less-common petitions, local court packets, and specialty proceedings, confirm the exact current form number in the California Courts forms library before filing.

Starting California Probate Forms

Petition for Probate

DE-111: Petition for Probate The main form to open a probate case. Used to request appointment as personal representative and submit the will to the court.

DE-111(A): Attachment to Petition for Probate Additional pages for listing heirs and beneficiaries when DE-111 does not have enough space.

Notice of Petition

DE-121: Notice of Petition to Administer Estate The main notice used for the initial probate petition. It tells heirs, devisees, beneficiaries, and the public that a Petition for Probate has been filed and gives the hearing date.

DE-121(MA): Attachment to Notice of Petition to Administer Estate--Proof of Service by Mail Used to prove that required notices were mailed to interested persons.

DE-120: Notice of Hearing-Decedent's Estate or Trust Used for later estate or trust hearings when the court or local procedure requires a hearing notice beyond the initial petition notice.

Appointment and Letters

Letters

DE-140: Order for Probate Court order appointing the personal representative.

DE-150: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, Letters of Special Administration The official document authorizing the personal representative to act on behalf of the estate. Financial institutions and others require certified copies.

Bond Forms

Bond issues are usually addressed in the petition, the order for probate, the letters, and any surety paperwork required by the court or bonding company. Because Superior Courts handle bond processing differently, always check the local probate clerk's packet before assuming statewide Judicial Council forms are the only documents you need.

Inventory and Appraisal

DE-160: Inventory and Appraisal Lists all estate assets and their values. Must be filed within four months of appointment.

DE-161: Inventory and Appraisal Attachment Additional pages for listing assets.

DE-162: Notice of Administration to Creditors (Attachment) Lists additional creditors when the main form has insufficient space.

DE-165: Notice of Proposed Action Notifies interested parties of actions the personal representative intends to take under independent administration (IAEA).

For the notice rules, waiting period, and objections, see our full California Notice of Proposed Action guide.

DE-166: Waiver of Notice of Proposed Action Lets an interested person waive notice for a particular proposed action or generally waive future NOPA notices.

Creditor Claims

DE-157: Notice of Administration to Creditors Mailed to known creditors to inform them of the probate proceeding and deadline to file claims.

DE-172: Creditor's Claim Form for creditors to submit claims against the estate.

DE-174: Allowance or Rejection of Creditor's Claim Used by the personal representative to approve or reject creditor claims.

Spousal Property Petition

DE-221: Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition Allows surviving spouse to transfer community property without full probate.

DE-226: Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Order Court order confirming the transfer under the spousal property petition.

Small Estate Procedures

DE-300: Maximum Values for Small Estate Set-Aside and Disposition of Estate Without Administration Current Judicial Council reference sheet for the California small-estate value limits.

DE-305: Affidavit re Real Property of Small Value Used for qualifying small-value real property transfers. Always check the current DE-300 before relying on older dollar thresholds.

DE-310: Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence Used to ask the court to transfer a qualifying primary residence without full probate under California's current small-estate rules.

DE-315: Order Determining Succession to Primary Residence The order signed by the court if the DE-310 petition is granted.

Closing and Specialty Forms

California probate also uses additional statewide forms for accountings, petitions for final distribution, sales that need court confirmation, family allowance requests, and final discharge. Because these forms vary with the type of administration, the will, the need for court supervision, and county practice, verify the exact current form number in the California Courts forms library before you file the closing packet.

If you are getting close to distribution, pair the forms search with our California probate accounting guide, California executor duties guide, and California probate guide so the paperwork matches the stage of the case.

High-Impression California Probate Forms Searchers Ask About

Petition for Probate Form DE-111 and DE-111 Instructions

People searching for the petition for probate form DE-111 or DE-111 instructions are usually at the filing stage. DE-111 is the opening petition. It identifies the decedent, names the proposed personal representative, tells the court whether there is a will, and requests the appointment that eventually leads to issued letters.

When you pull DE-111 from the California Courts forms library, also pull the current instructions, DE-121 for notice, and DE-150 for letters. In practice, those forms work together as the opening California probate forms packet.

DE-140 Order for Probate

DE-140 is the proposed or signed court order that appoints the personal representative after the petition hearing. Searchers often look for DE-140 because they want to confirm what the judge signs before letters are issued. The document that third parties usually want after appointment, however, is the certified DE-150 letters rather than the unsigned proposed order.

DE-172 Creditor's Claim

DE-172 is the California creditor's claim form. Creditors use DE-172 to present claims against the estate, and the personal representative typically responds with DE-174 to allow or reject the claim. If you are administering an estate, keep that form pair in mind while you work through notice, debt payment, and the closing checklist in our California executor duties guide.

Forms Quick Reference by Stage

Opening the Estate

Form	Purpose
DE-111	Petition for Probate
DE-121	Notice of Petition to Administer Estate
DE-121(MA)	Proof of Service by Mail
DE-154	Request for Special Notice
DE-150	Letters

During Administration

Form	Purpose
DE-160/161	Inventory and Appraisal
DE-157	Notice to Creditors
DE-165	Notice of Proposed Action
DE-172	Creditor's Claim
DE-174	Claim Allowance/Rejection

Closing the Estate

Step	What to confirm
Accounting	Whether the court requires a formal accounting or a waiver
Final distribution	The current petition and attachment forms required for your county and case type
Discharge	The current Judicial Council and local forms needed to close the estate

Where to Find the Forms

California Courts Website

All current Judicial Council probate forms are available free at the California Courts forms library and the California Courts probate self-help center.

Search by form number (e.g., "DE-111") to find and download.

Latest Judicial Council Changes

California revised the small-estate real-property package effective April 1, 2025. If you are working on a primary residence petition or a small-value real property transfer, use the current DE-300, DE-305, DE-310, and DE-315 forms rather than older county handouts or pre-2025 checklists.

County Court Websites

Many county Superior Courts provide local forms and instructions on their websites:

Los Angeles: lacourt.org
San Diego: sdcourt.ca.gov
Orange: occourts.org
San Francisco: sfsuperiorcourt.org

Local Requirements

Some counties have local forms or additional requirements. Check with the court clerk in the county where probate is filed.

Tips for Completing Forms

Read the Instructions

Most DE forms have accompanying instructions. The instructions explain what each field requires and common mistakes to avoid.

Use Black Ink

Courts require forms to be completed in black ink if handwritten.

Type When Possible

Typed forms are easier to read and less likely to cause delays.

Check for Updates

Forms are periodically revised. Always check the revision date printed on the lower-left corner of the form against the California Courts forms library before filing.

Make Copies

Keep copies of everything you file. The court returns only a conformed copy, not the original.

Pay Attention to Deadlines

Many forms have filing deadlines. Missing a deadline can delay the probate or create liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DE form?

DE stands for "Decedents Estates." These are the California Judicial Council forms used in probate proceedings.

Do I have to use these exact forms?

Yes. California courts require the use of official Judicial Council forms where they exist. You cannot substitute your own versions.

Can I fill out the forms myself?

Yes. California does not require an attorney for probate. You can complete and file the forms yourself, though the process is complex.

Are there filing fees for each form?

The opening petition and some later filings carry court fees, but fee schedules vary by court and change over time. Check the Superior Court probate fee schedule for the county where you are filing.

What if I make a mistake on a form?

Minor errors can often be corrected by filing an amended form. Significant errors may require court approval to correct.

Related Guides

Sources:

California Courts Forms Library
California Courts Probate Self-Help Center
California Judicial Council Form Changes
California Probate Code

This guide provides general information about California probate forms. Form requirements may vary by county. Consult with a California probate attorney for advice specific to your situation.