Filing a Probate Petition in California?

The Grossman Law Firm, APC · · (951) 523-8307

The California probate process starts with the filing of a Petition to the Superior Court of the county where the decedent lived at the time of his or her death. The petition uses Form DE-111, which needs to be filled out carefully, including checking the right boxes to decide on:

• The type of probate you are doing.
• Publication information.
• Whether bond is waived or not.
• The estimated value of the estate. This is a preliminary rough estimate of the estate. During the process an accurate value will be determined.
• Personal representative. Indicate who will act as the personal representative, serving either as an administrator (if there is no will or if the will doesn’t name a representative) or an executor (if there is a will).
• The survivors and beneficiaries. This part of the form can be confusing. Who survived the decedent and will receive notice of the petition? Indicate if there is a spouse or domestic partner and no issue (this means no children or grandchildren) or if there is no spouse and no issue. The people named in the will must also be mentioned, whether they are living or deceased.

There are a number of other forms that must be enclosed in the Petition for Probate, such as:

• Notice of Petition to Administer Estate
• Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative
• Order for Probate
• Letters
• Confidential Supplement

Talk to San Diego probate attorney Scott Grossman about what your situation is and any questions you might have. Call us at (888) 443-6590 or (888) 443-6590 for your FREE 30 minute telephone consultation.