Probate Forms (CA)

Updated Oct 5, 2024
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There are a number of state-specific forms you may need when going through the probate process.

This page lists common CA forms and offers help in locating others. While you are welcome to browse these forms, note that the Tasks Tab will guide you through the use of relevant forms at the appropriate times.

General CA Forms

In CA, the local Superior Court has jurisdiction over probate cases. If you are using EstateExec and you set the county of legal residence on the Decedent tab, a direct link to the appropriate court will appear here.

Below you will find links that allow you to download and use some of the more common CA probate forms (you may want to check with your local court for form preferences):

  1. Petition for Probate (Form DE-111) - Get the probate process started
  2. Proof of Will (Form DE-131) - Attach to petition if will is not notarized
  3. Duties and Liabilities (Form DE-147) - Attach to petition
  4. Waiver of Bond (Form DE-111 (A-3e)) - Attach to petition if desired and not addressed by will
  5. Notice of Petition (Form DE-121) - Notify anyone named in the will, anyone who would normally inherit, creditors, and publish
  6. Notice of Hearing (Form DE-120) - Notify interested parties of any other court hearings, and publish
  7. Proof of Hearing Notices (Form DE-120p) - Tell the court you made the required notifications
  8. Form BOE-502-D - Notify counties with real property of death
  9. Estate Inventory and Appraisal (Form DE-160) - Report estate contents to the court
  10. Creditor Notice (Form DE-157) - Send notice to creditors
  11. Accounting (No CA Form) - Check local court for preferences (EstateExec can generate an Accounting Report for you in CA format)
  12. Petition for Final Distribution (No CA Form) - Check local court for preferences (usually includes a final Accounting Report)
  13. Petition for Final Discharge (Form DE-295) - Tell the court the estate has been settled and you are finished with your duties

See CA Probate Forms for a more complete list of forms that may be required in certain situations.

Small CA Estate Forms

Small estates sometimes need only 1 specialized form or affidavit: see Small CA Estates.

Using CA Probate Forms

If you are using a licensed EstateExec estate, information about finding your court will appear here.

As mentioned above, the tasks on the estate's Tasks Tab will list a series of steps that help you understand which form to use when. You may also want to see How to Become Executor for a CA Estate, and Overall Probate Process in CA.

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