About Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence
This form allows heirs or beneficiaries to petition the court for a determination that a decedent's real property was their primary California residence and that it passes to the petitioner without full probate administration.
When you'd use it: Filed when at least 40 days have passed since the decedent's death, no full estate administration is pending, and the gross value of the decedent's interest in the primary residence does not exceed the applicable statutory threshold.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence 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 Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence (PDF) →
Source: courts.ca.gov
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence in California
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence (DE-310) when filed when at least 40 days have passed since the decedent's death, no full estate administration is pending, and the gross value of the decedent's interest in the primary residence does not exceed the applicable statutory threshold. 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 Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence 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 Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence 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).