Understand California probate forms, the people and property they ask about, and where the paperwork fits after someone dies. FormExplainer explains unfamiliar terms and follows the official forms in order, so you can see what information to gather and what each question is asking.
Start with the guide for the form in front of you. A petition, a notice, and an appointment document do different jobs; our guides help you keep those steps clear.
Form DE-111 — Petition for Probate
DE-111 asks the probate court to admit a will, appoint a personal representative, and make related orders. Our guide walks through all nine numbered items, including wills and codicils, executor and administrator roles, estimated estate values, heirs and beneficiaries, bond, and independent-administration authority.
You will also find a preparation checklist, an explanation of attachments and signatures, and a roadmap for notice, publication, the hearing, and Letters. Filing the petition does not itself appoint the representative or transfer estate property.
Form DE-121 — Notice of Petition to Administer Estate
DE-121 tells people that a Petition for Probate has been filed and gives the hearing details. Our guide explains who receives notice, how heirs and will beneficiaries fit into the notice list, and when trusts, minors, deceased beneficiaries, or other circumstances require a closer look.
Follow both form pages, including the Proof of Service by Mail. You will learn how mailed notice differs from newspaper publication, which deadlines apply, what the proofs establish, and why completing notice does not itself appoint a personal representative.
Form DE-120 — Notice of Hearing—Decedent’s Estate or Trust
DE-120 gives notice of applicable estate and trust hearings, such as an estate account, distribution petition, status report, or trust petition. Our guide explains how the underlying request determines who receives notice, what must be served, and which deadline applies.
Follow both form pages, including the status-report notice, clerk’s posting certificate, and mailing proof. Learn how mail differs from personal delivery, when a separate proof is needed, and why DE-120 cannot replace DE-121 for notice of a petition to administer an estate.
Using a FormExplainer Guide
Keep the current official form beside you as you work. The guide explains the questions, information, and process; it does not decide who inherits, whether a will is valid, who has priority for appointment, or which legal requests you should make.
Not every estate needs formal probate. California Courts’ guide to property after someone dies explains the available processes. Check your court’s current probate instructions for local filing and hearing requirements.
For help identifying forms and procedures, contact the probate clerk or your court’s self-help center about available assistance. For advice about an estate or disputed rights, consult a qualified probate attorney.