About Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust
Notifies heirs, beneficiaries, and other interested persons of the date, time, and department of a hearing in a decedent's estate or trust proceeding. Page 2 is the proof of service by mail.
When you'd use it: Filed and served together with a petition that requires a hearing — for example a Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property (DE-310) or a Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition — once the court has assigned a hearing date. The clerk may reject the petition if the notice is not filed with it. Page 2 is completed and signed by the person who actually mailed the notice, who must be 18 or older and not a party to the petition.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust is published as a PDF by the California courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust (PDF) →
Source: courts.ca.gov
Link last checked: October 1, 2026
How to file Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust in California
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust (DE-120) when filed and served together with a petition that requires a hearing — for example a Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property (DE-310) or a Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition — once the court has assigned a hearing date. The clerk may reject the petition if the notice is not filed with it. Page 2 is completed and signed by the person who actually mailed the notice, who must be 18 or older and not a party to the petition. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — California probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the California county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).