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Yes! You can use AI to fill out Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust

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Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust, page 1
Moderate · 53/100Form Complexity Index

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What this form asks for

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Form DE-120 (Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust) is a California probate form used to notify interested persons that a petition, application, report, or account has been filed and that a court hearing has been scheduled. It includes the hearing date/time/location and provides proof sections (e.g., Proof of Service by Mail and a Clerk’s Certificate of Posting) to document that notice was properly given as required by the Probate Code. Proper notice is important because the court may proceed without recipients if they do not appear, and defective notice can delay or jeopardize the requested court orders. Today, this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
Fillable fields67
Pages2
Sections14
Tables and lists1
Questions that depend on earlier answers6
Form Complexity IndexModerate, 53/100

The AI checks your answers before you download

16 checks built for this form, so a wrong date or a missing answer is caught before anyone else sees it.

Validates required case caption selection and corresponding name field completion

Ensures at least one caption style is selected (e.g., “ESTATE OF (name)” or “IN THE MATTER OF (name)”) and that the corresponding name field is populated. This is critical because the court and recipients rely on the caption to identify the matter correctly. If no caption is selected or the name is missing, the submission should be rejected and the user prompted to select the correct caption and enter the matching name.

Enforces mutual exclusivity and completeness for case type (DECEDENT/TRUST/OTHER)

Checks that exactly one case type is selected among DECEDENT, TRUST, or OTHER, and if OTHER is selected, the specific type is provided in the designated text field. This prevents ambiguous or conflicting case classification that can misroute the filing or invalidate notice. If multiple types are selected or OTHER lacks a description, validation fails and the user must correct the selection.

Validates case number format and presence across all sections

Verifies that the Case Number is present and matches an expected court case-number pattern (e.g., alphanumeric with separators) and is consistent wherever it appears on the form. The case number is the primary identifier for docketing and service tracking. If missing or malformed, the form should not be accepted because it may be filed under the wrong matter or be unsearchable by the court.

Validates Superior Court county and court address completeness

Ensures the Superior Court County is provided and that the court’s street address, mailing address, city/ZIP, and branch name are complete enough to identify the correct court location. Accurate court location details are necessary for proper hearing logistics and for recipients to know where the hearing will occur. If any required court location fields are blank or incomplete, the system should flag the submission for correction.

Validates hearing date and time format and logical scheduling

Checks that Hearing Date is a valid date and Hearing Time is a valid time (with AM/PM or 24-hour format per system rules), and that the hearing date/time is not in the past relative to the submission date. This prevents notices that are impossible to comply with or that misinform recipients. If invalid or in the past, validation fails and the user must enter a correct scheduled hearing date/time.

Validates hearing location fields (Room and Dept.) formatting and presence

Ensures Room and Department/Dept. are provided and follow expected formatting (e.g., numeric room, alphanumeric department like “Dept. 5”). These fields are essential for attendees to locate the correct courtroom and for court calendaring. If missing or containing clearly invalid placeholders, the system should require correction before submission.

And 10 more checks
  • Conditional validation for alternate court name/address (if different from above)
  • Validates petition/application/report title and description completeness and appropriateness
  • Validates attorney/party identity block completeness (name and address)
  • Validates State Bar Number format when an attorney is indicated
  • Validates contact fields: telephone, fax (optional), and email format
  • Validates 'Attorney for (name)' consistency with filer role
  • Validates Proof of Service by Mail method selection and dependent fields
  • Validates service dates for logical order (posting/mailing/declaration vs hearing)
  • Validates recipients list completeness and address structure
  • Validates attachment indicator vs number of recipients provided

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How to Fill Out DE-120 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Go to Instafill.ai and upload the DE-120 PDF (or select DE-120 from the form library).
  2. Enter or import the case details: county, court branch/address (if needed), and the probate case number.
  3. Provide the party/attorney information (name, firm, address, phone/email, State Bar number, and who the attorney represents).
  4. Complete the notice caption and matter type by selecting DECEDENT, TRUST, or OTHER and entering the estate/matter name and fiduciary capacity (executor/administrator/trustee, etc.).
  5. Describe the filing being noticed by entering the complete title and a brief description of the petition/application/report/account, and indicate if it is a Probate Code §12200 status report when applicable.
  6. Fill in the hearing logistics (date, time, department, room, and any different court name/address) and have Instafill.ai validate required fields and formatting.
  7. Complete service details: generate the Proof of Service by Mail recipient list (names/addresses), select the mailing method, enter date/place mailed, add signature/printed name and date, then download/print the finalized form for filing and service.

Common Mistakes in Completing DE-120

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Using the wrong notice form for the type of probate matter
People often file DE-120 for matters it explicitly excludes (e.g., a petition to administer an estate requiring DE-121, guardianship/conservatorship hearings requiring GC-020, or a Probate Code § 851 property claim requiring DE-115/GC-015). This happens because the case type sounds similar and filers reuse a prior template. The consequence is rejection by the clerk, continuances, or defective notice that can delay the hearing. Avoid this by confirming the petition type and statute before preparing notice; AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can flag mismatched form selection based on the case type and petition title.
Incorrect or inconsistent case caption (Estate of vs. In the Matter of) and box selections
A frequent error is checking the wrong caption boxes (DECEDENT/TRUST/OTHER and ESTATE OF/IN THE MATTER OF) or entering a name that doesn’t match the court’s caption exactly. This usually happens when users copy the decedent’s name into the wrong field or assume “Estate of” applies to trust matters. The result can be confusion on the court record, misrouting, or the court treating the notice as defective. To avoid it, copy the caption exactly from the filed petition and ensure only the correct boxes are checked; Instafill.ai can auto-map caption data and prevent incompatible box combinations.
Leaving the petition title/description incomplete or too vague
Item 1 requires the complete title and a brief description of what was filed, but many filers write something generic like “petition” or omit the title entirely. This happens because they assume recipients already know what the hearing is about. The consequence is inadequate notice to interested persons, which can lead to objections, continuances, or the need to re-serve notice. Avoid this by using the exact document title from the filed pleading (e.g., “First Account and Report of Trustee and Petition for Approval”) and a one-sentence summary; Instafill.ai can pull the title from your uploaded petition and format it consistently.
Missing or incorrect hearing details (date, time, department, room)
People commonly enter the wrong hearing date/time, omit the department/room, or use a tentative date that later changes. This often occurs when the hearing is rescheduled or when the filer relies on an earlier minute order. The consequence is recipients appearing at the wrong time/place or claiming they were not properly noticed, which can delay the matter. Avoid it by copying the hearing information directly from the court’s notice or online docket and re-checking before mailing; Instafill.ai can validate date/time formats and prompt you to confirm changes.
Court location fields completed inconsistently (branch vs. mailing vs. street address)
Filers sometimes mix the court’s street address with a different branch’s mailing address, or leave the “Name and address of court, if different” section blank when it should be completed. This happens in counties with multiple probate locations or when a P.O. Box is used for mail but hearings occur elsewhere. The consequence is confusion for recipients and potential claims of defective notice. Avoid it by using the exact branch handling the hearing and only completing the “if different” section when it truly differs; Instafill.ai can standardize court addresses and reduce branch-mismatch errors.
Attorney/party identification errors (State Bar number, attorney for, contact info)
Common mistakes include leaving the State Bar number blank, entering an outdated number, listing the wrong “Attorney for” party, or providing an email/phone that doesn’t match the attorney’s current contact information. This happens when staff reuse old firm templates or when a self-represented party fills attorney fields incorrectly. The consequence can be service/communication problems and court questions about representation. Avoid it by verifying the State Bar number and ensuring the “Attorney for” matches the petitioner/representative named in the filing; Instafill.ai can auto-format contact fields and validate common patterns (e.g., bar number length, email format).
Proof of Service by Mail completed by an ineligible server or missing required declarations
A frequent issue is the petitioner/party signing the Proof of Service despite the requirement that the server be over 18 and not a party, or leaving the server’s address blank. This happens because filers don’t realize service must be performed by a non-party and treat it as a simple mailing receipt. The consequence is invalid service, which can force re-service and continuances. Avoid it by using a qualified non-party server, completing the server’s residence/business address, and ensuring the correct signature and printed name are included; Instafill.ai can prompt eligibility checks and ensure required fields are not skipped.
Not selecting the correct mailing method checkbox (USPS deposit vs. business practice)
Item 3 requires choosing either USPS deposit or business collection practices, but many people check neither or check both. This happens when users don’t understand the difference or assume it’s optional. The consequence is an incomplete proof of service that may be rejected or challenged. Avoid it by selecting exactly one method that matches how the mail was sent and ensuring postage was prepaid; Instafill.ai can enforce mutually exclusive checkbox logic and prevent submission with neither option selected.
Date mailed/place mailed and signature dates missing or inconsistent
Filers often forget to enter the date mailed, list the wrong city/state, or sign the declaration on a different date than the mailing without explanation. This happens when service is done over multiple days or when the form is prepared before the mailing occurs. The consequence is a questionable proof of service and potential disputes about timeliness of notice. Avoid it by completing the proof only after mailing, using the actual mailing city/state, and ensuring the declaration date matches the signing date; Instafill.ai can flag missing dates and inconsistent timelines.
Failing to serve the referenced petition/report along with the notice when required
Item 5 indicates service of a copy of the petition or other document referred to in item 1, but people often forget to include it or forget to check the box confirming it was served. This happens when the filer assumes the notice alone is sufficient or when attachments are separated during mailing. The consequence is incomplete notice, objections from interested persons, and possible re-service orders. Avoid it by assembling each mailing packet with the notice plus the referenced filing and confirming the checkbox accurately; Instafill.ai can generate a service checklist and remind you to include required enclosures.
Incomplete recipient list or incorrect recipient addresses (and not using attachments when needed)
A common mistake is leaving off required interested persons, using outdated addresses, or squeezing multiple recipients into one line without using the continuation attachment. This happens because address lists are pulled from old correspondence or the filer underestimates who must receive notice. The consequence is defective service that can invalidate the hearing notice and delay court action. Avoid it by cross-checking the service list against the petition, court rules, and the latest address records, and use the DE-120(MA)/GC-020(MA) attachment when the list exceeds the form; Instafill.ai can help maintain a validated recipient database and format addresses to USPS standards.

Frequently Asked Questions About DE-120

 

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How does the AI fill out DE-120?
You answer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. The AI reads what you give it and puts each answer into the right field of DE-120, on every page, in seconds. It checks the answers against the form's own rules, and you review and change anything before you download, print or sign.
What happens to my information?
It is encrypted in transit and at rest, and it is never used to train AI.
How complex is DE-120 to fill out?
DE-120 has a Form Complexity Index of 53 out of 100, in the moderate tier: 67 fillable fields across 2 pages. Instafill.ai's AI fills it in under a minute, with every field there for you to review before you download.
What is Judicial Council form DE-120 used for?
Form DE-120 is a Notice of Hearing for a decedent’s estate, trust, or certain other probate matters in California. It tells interested persons that a petition, report, or account has been filed and provides the hearing date, time, and location.
Who needs to fill out and serve form DE-120?
Typically, the petitioner (or the petitioner’s attorney) prepares the DE-120 and ensures it is served on all required interested persons. The person who mails the notice must complete and sign the Proof of Service by Mail section.
Do I have to go to the hearing listed on the DE-120?
No—this notice states you are not required to appear. However, you may attend and object or respond if you wish; if you do nothing, the court may act without your input.
When should I use DE-120 versus DE-121 or other notice forms?
Use DE-120 for hearings in a decedent’s estate or trust matter (or other specified probate matters). Do not use it for a petition to administer an estate (use DE-121), guardianship/conservatorship hearings (use GC-020), or a Probate Code § 851 property claim petition (use DE-115/GC-015).
What information is required at the top of the form (attorney/party section)?
You must provide the attorney or self-represented party’s name, address, phone, and (if applicable) State Bar number, plus the name of the person/entity represented. This identifies who is giving notice and how they can be contacted.
How do I complete the case caption (Estate of / Trust / Other) correctly?
Check the box that matches your matter (DECEDENT, TRUST, or OTHER) and use the correct caption line (e.g., “ESTATE OF (name)” for a decedent’s estate). Enter the case name exactly as it appears on existing court filings and include the case number.
What do I write in item 1 about the petition, application, report, or account?
List the complete title of what was filed and add a brief description (for example, “Petition for approval of first account and report of trustee”). This helps recipients understand what the hearing is about.
What hearing details do I need to include in item 2?
You must enter the hearing date, time, room, and department (and the court name/address if different from the court listed above). Use the information exactly as scheduled by the court.
What does the checkbox about a Probate Code section 12200 status report mean?
If the filing is a “report of the status of a decedent’s estate administration” under Probate Code § 12200, you check that box. The form also warns recipients they may have the right to petition for an accounting under Probate Code § 10950.
Do I need to attach the petition or other document when I mail the DE-120?
Often yes—there is a checkbox in the Proof of Service section stating you served a copy of the petition or other document referred to in item 1. Follow your court’s rules and the notice requirements for your specific filing to confirm what must be included.
How do I complete the Proof of Service by Mail section on page 2?
The server must be over 18 and not a party, list their address, choose the mailing method (USPS deposit or business collection practice), and provide the date and place mailed. Then they sign under penalty of perjury and list each recipient’s name and address (use an attachment if needed).
What if I have more than five people to serve with the notice?
Check “Continued on an attachment” and attach additional pages listing all names and addresses. The form suggests using DE-120(MA)/GC-020(MA) as the attachment for the mailing list.
What is the Clerk’s Certificate of Posting section and do I fill it out?
The Clerk’s Certificate of Posting is generally completed by the court clerk (or deputy) when posting is required. Parties usually do not fill out that section unless the court specifically instructs them to do so.
Can AI tools help me fill out DE-120 accurately?
Yes—AI form-filling tools can help reduce errors by extracting case details and placing them into the correct fields. Services like Instafill.ai use AI to auto-fill form fields accurately and save time, but you should still review everything for correctness before filing or serving.
How can I fill out this form online using Instafill.ai?
Upload the DE-120 PDF to Instafill.ai, then provide (or import) your case details such as the case number, hearing date/time, court location, and service list. Instafill.ai can auto-populate the fields and let you review, edit, and export a completed PDF for printing/filing.
What if my DE-120 PDF is not fillable (a flat PDF)?
If the PDF is not fillable, you can still complete it using a tool that converts flat PDFs into fillable forms. Instafill.ai can convert non-fillable PDFs into interactive fillable forms so you can type directly into the fields and generate a clean final copy.
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Other forms like this one

California state forms: Judicial Council of California Form DE-111, Petition for Probate (Probate—Decedents Estates), DS 1891, Applicant/Vendor Disclosure Statement (State of California Department of Developmental Services), Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust, Murrieta Police Department Citizen Complaint Form (California Penal Code § 148.6 Advisory Statement), California Department of Social Services, Sworn Statement, State of California Department of Transportation California Civil Rights Laws Certification, State of California Department of Transportation Darfur Contracting Act Certification, Form DOT ADM-0077, State of California Department of Transportation, Contract Requirements, State of California Department of Transportation Subcontractor List, State of California Department of Transportation, Certified DVBE Summary, Bidder Declaration GSPD-05-105, State of California Level of Care Rate Determination Protocol Matrix, State of California Accessible Form, State of California Form SOC 321, Request for Order and Consent - Paramedical Services, State of California Darfur Contracting Act Certification, State of California Department of Veterans Affairs COMMERCIALLY USEFUL FUNCTION (CUF) CERTIFICATION FORM, Form ADR-100, Statement of Agreement or Nonagreement, Civil Appeal Case Information Statement, Form APP-014, Appellant's Proposed Statement on Appeal (Unlimited Civil Case), form-app-015-respondents-proposed-corrections-toadditions-to-appellants-proposed-settled-statement-unlimited-civil-case

Judicial Council forms: Judicial Council of California Form FL-300, Request for Order, Judicial Council of California Form FL-150, Income and Expense Declaration, Judicial Council of California Form SC-104, Proof of Service (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form SC-105, Request for Court Order and Answer (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form DE-111, Petition for Probate (Probate—Decedents Estates), Judicial Council of California Form SC-104, Proof of Service (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form SC-108, Request to Correct or Cancel Judgment and Answer (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form SC-120, Defendant’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (Small Claims), Civil Case Cover Sheet (Judicial Council of California Form CM-010), Civil Case Cover Sheet (Judicial Council of California Form CM-010), Judicial Council of California Form TR-205, Request for Trial by Written Declaration (Trial by Written Declaration—Traffic), Inventory and Appraisal Attachment (Judicial Council of California Form DE-161, GC-041), CLETS-001, Confidential Information for Law Enforcement (Judicial Council of California), Judicial Council of California Form SER-001, Request for Sheriff to Serve Court Papers, Judicial Council of California Form UD-105, Answer—Unlawful Detainer, CLETS-001, Confidential Information for Law Enforcement (Judicial Council of California), Judicial Council of California Form ADOPT-210, Adoption Agreement, Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust, Inventory and Appraisal (Judicial Council of California) (Form DE-160/GC-040), Judicial Council of California Form JUD-100, Judgment

estate forms: Form 593, Real Estate Withholding, Form 1099-S, Proceeds From Real Estate Transactions, Inland Residential Real Estate Services LLC Application for Lease (Form 4301, Rev. 11/14), New licence application – Form 1–1 (IND), Application for an individual’s licence (Real estate agent, property auctioneer, resident letting agent, motor dealer, chattel auctioneer, field agent), Judicial Council of California Form DE-111, Petition for Probate (Probate—Decedents Estates), Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale) (TREC No. 20-18), City of Harvey Real Estate Transfer Declaration & Application (with Certificate for Exemption), Form DE-160/GC-040, Inventory and Appraisal (Declaration of Representative/Guardian/Conservator or Small Estate Claimant and Declaration of Probate Referee), Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust, Fidelity Change of Account Ownership — Mutual Fund Only Accounts (Changing to a Trust, Estate, Guardian, or Conservator Account), Fidelity Change of Account Registration — Changing to a Trust, Estate, Guardian, or Conservator Brokerage Account, Valuing Your Estate Worksheet (from Vanguard's 'Understanding the basics of estate planning' guide), Alaska Residential Real Estate Purchase Agreement, Merrill Edge Self-Directed Trust and Estate Cash Management Account (CMA Account) Account Application Booklet and Agreements, Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property California Probate Code Section 13100, Oklahoma Real Estate Commission Tenancy Guidelines (01-01-2026), Oklahoma Real Estate Commission Residential Property Condition Disclosure Exemption Form (RPCD EXEMPTION FORM), Oklahoma Real Estate Commission Residential Lease, Oklahoma Real Estate Commission Tenant Flood Notice (01-01-2026), Oklahoma Real Estate Commission Property Data Form (Residential)

California judicial forms: Judicial Council of California Form FL-300, Request for Order, Judicial Council of California Form FL-150, Income and Expense Declaration, Judicial Council of California Form SC-104, Proof of Service (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form SC-105, Request for Court Order and Answer (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form DE-111, Petition for Probate (Probate—Decedents Estates), Judicial Council of California Form SC-104, Proof of Service (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form SC-108, Request to Correct or Cancel Judgment and Answer (Small Claims), Judicial Council of California Form SC-120, Defendant’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (Small Claims), Civil Case Cover Sheet (Judicial Council of California Form CM-010), Civil Case Cover Sheet (Judicial Council of California Form CM-010), Judicial Council of California Form TR-205, Request for Trial by Written Declaration (Trial by Written Declaration—Traffic), Inventory and Appraisal Attachment (Judicial Council of California Form DE-161, GC-041), CLETS-001, Confidential Information for Law Enforcement (Judicial Council of California), Judicial Council of California Form SER-001, Request for Sheriff to Serve Court Papers, Judicial Council of California Form UD-105, Answer—Unlawful Detainer, CLETS-001, Confidential Information for Law Enforcement (Judicial Council of California), Judicial Council of California Form ADOPT-210, Adoption Agreement, Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust, Inventory and Appraisal (Judicial Council of California) (Form DE-160/GC-040), Judicial Council of California Form JUD-100, Judgment

trust forms: Form 8855, Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust, Private Trust (Mod(PT).2005), Form 3520 (Rev. December 2023), Annual Return To Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts, Judicial Council of California Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust, Fidelity Change of Account Ownership — Mutual Fund Only Accounts (Changing to a Trust, Estate, Guardian, or Conservator Account), Fidelity Ownership Change to Trust, Fidelity Change of Account Registration — Changing to a Trust, Estate, Guardian, or Conservator Brokerage Account, Trusted Contact Authorization Form, I.B.E.W. & Electrical Industry Local 697 Money Purchase Plan and Trust Direct Rollover Request Form Due to Qualified Domestic Relations Order, Bechtel Trust & Thrift Plan Rollover Process, General Purpose Loan Application Packet, IW DC of SOV Annuity Trust, NYPD Superior Officers Council Annuity Trust Fund Plan Rollover Form, Trust Certification and Trustee Powers, Housing Agency Retirement Trust Form #190, Request to Withdraw a Rollover Account, The Housing Agency Retirement Trust 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Request For Distribution Form, Housing Agency Retirement Trust Transfer/Rollover Form, Qualified Retirement Plan and Trust Summary Plan Description, The Housing Agency Retirement Trust 457b Deferred Compensation Plan Change of Beneficiary Designation Form, TIAA Trust, N.A. Private Asset Management, Request for a Direct Transfer From IRA Contracts, TIAA Trust Rollover From Your Retirement Plan (ERISA)

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