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DE-111
California Judicial Council Probate Form

Petition for Probate

Form DE-111 is the core opening document in a California probate. It asks the Superior Court to admit any will, appoint a personal representative (executor or administrator), and formally start the estate administration. Every other form in the opening packet supports this petition. Below: what it does, when and how to file it, where to get it free, and the mistakes that get filings rejected. For the whole process, see our California probate guide.

DE-111 at a Glance

FormDE-111
StageOpening the estate
TypeMandatory
CostFree
SourceCA Courts

What Is Form DE-111?

Form DE-111, Petition for Probate, is the core opening document in a California probate. It asks the Superior Court to admit any will, appoint a personal representative (executor or administrator), and formally start the estate administration. Every other form in the opening packet supports this petition.

When to file
first, to open the case. You file it with the original will (if any), a certified death certificate, and the Duties and
Who files it
the person asking to be appointed as personal representative (or their attorney).
Mandatory?
Mandatory form
Cost
Free from the court

When & Where DE-111 Fits

You file DE-111 first, to open the case. You file it with the original will (if any), a certified death certificate, and the Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative (DE-147). Because this form often involves legal judgment, many people have a probate attorney prepare it. It sits in the opening the estate stage of a California probate. For the full sequence of forms and steps, see the California probate guide and the documents checklist.

How to Get Form DE-111 (Free)

Get it free from the California Courts

DE-111 is an official Judicial Council form. Download the current version directly from the California Courts self-help form finder — you should never pay a third-party site for a form the court provides for free.

Official DE-111 on CA Courts →

Fill it using Adobe Reader (some browsers won't save your entries), and always use the current mandatory revision, since clerks reject outdated versions. Many California counties require you to e-file through an approved provider — check your county's court page for local rules.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  • Request Independent Administration (IAEA) authority on the petition — it lets you handle most of the estate without returning to court for approval.
  • Attach the original will; the court keeps it.
  • Use the current mandatory revision — clerks reject outdated versions.
  • The filing fee is $435 in most counties (Gov. Code §70650), and it opens a hearing date roughly 4–6 weeks out.

Form DE-111 FAQ

Form DE-111 (Petition for Probate) is an official California Judicial Council form, and it's free. Download it directly from the California Courts self-help form finder at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov (search 'DE-111'). Never pay a third-party website for a form the court provides for free. Use Adobe Reader to fill it — some browsers won't save your entries. Always use the current mandatory revision, because clerks reject outdated versions.
DE-111 is a mandatory Judicial Council form. Mandatory forms must be used exactly as published, and a filing that uses an outdated revision or a substitute can be rejected by the clerk. Local courts sometimes require additional local forms, so confirm your county's probate packet before filing.
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Not sure you're filing DE-111 correctly?

This form involves legal judgment, and a rejected or mistaken filing can cost weeks. A California probate attorney can prepare the packet correctly — and the fee usually comes from the estate, not your pocket.

Find a CA Probate Attorney →