Court Process
The California Probate Court Process
California probate follows a defined legal process through the Superior Court. This guide explains each stage — from filing the petition to final distribution — in plain language.
Articles in This Series
How Do You Start Probate in California?
Learn how formal probate begins, including filing Form DE-111, submitting the will, giving notice to heirs, newspaper publication, and preparing for the first court hearing.
What Happens at the First Probate Hearing in California?
Learn what the judge reviews at the first probate hearing, how the personal representative is appointed, how bond and Independent Administration Authority are handled, and what happens before Letters issue.
What Are Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration in California?
Learn what DE-150 Letters are, when a personal representative's authority becomes effective, the difference between executor and administrator Letters, and why banks, title companies and escrow may request certified copies.
What Is the Inventory and Appraisal in California Probate?
Learn how DE-160 and DE-161 work, the four-month filing deadline, what the personal representative values, what the probate referee appraises, and what happens when additional assets are discovered.
How Do Creditor Claims Work in California Probate?
Learn how California probate creditors are notified, when claims must be filed, how DE-172 and DE-174 work, what happens when a claim is rejected, and why estate debts matter before final distribution.
What Is a Probate Status Report in California—and Why Is It Required?
Learn what happens when a California probate estate is not ready to close within one year or 18 months, what the personal representative must report to the court, and what the judge can order next.
How Does Final Accounting and Distribution Work in California Probate?
Learn how a California probate estate moves from final accounting to court-approved distribution, when an accounting may be waived, how beneficiaries receive assets, and how the personal representative is finally discharged.
California Probate Court Forms Explained: Common Forms Executors and Heirs Should Know
A plain-language guide to commonly used California probate Judicial Council forms — DE-111, DE-121, DE-150, DE-160, DE-172, DE-165, DE-157, and DE-295 — organized by stage of the probate process.