Yes! You can use AI to fill out Judicial Council of California Form DE-111, Petition for Probate (Probate—Decedents Estates)

People often skip the top caption fields (county, branch name, street/mailing address, estate name, and case number) or fill them inconsistently across pages. This happens because filers assume the clerk will “look it up” or because they copy information from another case. Missing or mismatched caption information can delay filing, cause documents to be misfiled, or require re-submission. Use the exact county/branch for the filing location, keep the “ESTATE OF (name)” and decedent name identical everywhere, and add the case number once assigned.

DE-111 contains multiple checkboxes for different relief (Probate of Will, Letters of Administration, Letters Testamentary, Special Administration, Lost Will, and IAEA authority), and filers frequently check the wrong box or check conflicting options. This usually happens when people confuse “executor” vs. “administrator,” or assume a will automatically means “letters testamentary” without confirming who is nominated and able to serve. Choosing the wrong petition type can lead to continuances, amended petitions, or issuance of the wrong letters. Confirm whether there is a valid will, whether an executor is named and willing/able to act, and whether you truly need special administration or a lost-will proceeding before checking boxes.

A common error is entering an incorrect date of death, omitting the place of death, or misunderstanding the residency question (resident of the county vs. nonresident with property in the county). This happens because filers rely on memory instead of the death certificate or do not understand that venue depends on residence or property location. Errors can create venue challenges, require amendments, or delay issuance of letters. Use the death certificate for the date/place of death and provide the full residence address at time of death; if nonresident, clearly specify the county property location that supports filing there.

People often state there is a will but forget to attach copies, omit codicils, fail to include typed copies of handwritten documents, or skip English translations for foreign-language documents. This happens because they assume the court only needs the original later or they do not realize every referenced testamentary document must be provided. Missing attachments can result in rejection, continuance, or inability to admit the will to probate. Attach copies of the will and all codicils, include typed copies of handwritten instruments, and provide certified/competent translations when required.

When the original will is missing, filers frequently check the “lost will” box but do not include a copy or a statement of the testamentary words, and they fail to explain why the presumption in Probate Code § 6124 does not apply. This happens because people think “lost” simply means “we can’t find it,” without realizing the court requires specific proof. Inadequate lost-will support can lead to denial of probate of the will and the estate proceeding as intestate. Provide the required attachment: a copy or detailed statement of the will’s contents and a clear factual explanation (with supporting declarations if available) showing the will was not revoked.

Filers often check “bond not be required” without meeting one of the listed statutory/waiver conditions, or they claim beneficiaries/heirs waived bond but do not attach the signed waivers as required (Attachments 3e(2) or 3e(3)). This happens because bond is confusing and people assume a will automatically waives bond or that verbal family agreement is enough. Incorrect bond handling can delay issuance of letters or result in the court ordering bond anyway. Only request a bond waiver if the will waives it or all required adults have signed written waivers, and attach the waivers or explain the bond amount deviation in the specified attachment.

A frequent mistake is mixing up gross fair market value and net value of real property, forgetting to subtract encumbrances, leaving subtotals blank, or entering inconsistent totals across the personal property/real property sections. This happens because people use informal estimates, confuse equity with value, or do not follow the add/subtract instructions on the form. Incorrect valuations can affect bond amounts, publication/notice expectations, and court review, and may require amended petitions. Use reasonable date-of-death estimates, list encumbrances separately, complete each subtotal line, and double-check that totals equal the sum of the referenced line items.

People often leave the publication item blank, list a newspaper that is not approved for probate notices in the county, or check both “Publication requested” and “Publication to be arranged.” This happens because filers assume any local paper works or do not realize publication is a required procedural step tied to the hearing. Errors can cause continuances if notice is defective or not timely. Confirm the court-approved adjudicated newspaper for the county, select only one publication option, and ensure publication is arranged early enough to meet statutory timing.

The survivor section requires specific combinations (e.g., check (1) or (2) and (3) or (4), etc.), and filers frequently check contradictory boxes (e.g., “no spouse” and “spouse”) or fail to complete the required set. This happens because the layout is dense and people skim, or they misunderstand terms like “issue,” “predeceased,” and “registered domestic partner.” Inconsistent heirship statements can trigger court questions, require amendments, and delay appointment. Carefully follow the “check items …” instructions, use the legal definitions, and verify family status with records (marriage/divorce, domestic partnership, birth/adoption) before selecting boxes.

Item 8 requires listing all persons mentioned in the will/codicils, all heirs identified by the earlier checkboxes, and certain trust beneficiaries when the trustee and personal representative are the same person; filers often list only “closest” relatives or omit ages/addresses. This happens because people do not know all relatives, assume unknowns can be ignored, or do not realize the court expects “reasonably ascertainable” information. Missing interested persons can lead to defective notice, objections, and continuances. List everyone required, include complete mailing addresses and ages (or best estimates), and if information is unknown, document diligent efforts and use an attachment to explain what is not reasonably ascertainable.

Filers commonly forget that all petitioners must sign, omit the verification language/date, or sign in the wrong place (attorney signature vs. petitioner signature). This happens because the form spans multiple pages and the signature instructions are easy to miss. Missing or improper signatures can cause rejection or require re-filing, delaying the hearing and issuance of letters. Ensure every petitioner signs where required, one petitioner (at minimum) properly verifies under penalty of perjury with a date and printed name, and include additional petitioner signatures after the last attachment if needed.