Probate Document Preparation in California

It asks the court to appoint a personal representative and begin administering the estate. Form DE-111 is the petition. It lets the petitioner ask for full or limited authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. We prepare it from the facts you provide.

Notice of hearing must be given at least 15 days before the hearing to known heirs and to each person named in the will, and notice must also be published before the hearing. Form DE-121 is the notice of petition. We prepare the notices you direct.

Within four months after letters first issue, the personal representative must file the inventory and appraisal, form DE-160. The notice of administration to each known creditor, form DE-157, is due by the later of four months after letters first issue or 30 days after the representative learns of that creditor. A probate referee appraises the assets the representative does not value.

The law sets a deadline for final distribution: the personal representative must petition for final distribution or file a status report one year after letters issue, or 18 months if a federal estate tax return is required. That is a filing deadline, not a prediction of how long your estate will take.

No, we do not determine which probate procedure a person qualifies for. The court's DE-147 duties form says an attorney is best qualified to advise a personal representative. We prepare the forms you direct and cannot advise on duties.