DE-121 is addressed to all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors and other interested persons. It says who filed the Petition for Probate, who would be appointed personal representative, whether a will is offered and whether independent administration is requested, and when the hearing is. It cites Probate Code sections 8100 and 9100.
When it is used
Mailed, and often published
Page 2 is a proof of service by mail with the names and addresses of each person notified. A note on page 1 explains how to print the notice when it is published, including minimum type sizes and what to leave out.
Section by section
What each part asks
Use the current official form and its instructions. The descriptions below identify the questions without choosing answers for your situation.
Page 1 · The notice
1–3 · Decedent, petitioner and representative
All names the decedent was known by, who filed the petition and in which county, and who is to be appointed.
4–5 · Will and independent administration
Whether a will and codicils are offered, and whether authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act is requested.
6–7 · Hearing and objections
Hearing date, time, department and address, and how to object in person, by attorney or in writing.
8–10 · Creditors, the file and the petitioner
The creditor claim deadline, the right to examine the file and request special notice on DE-154, and the petitioner’s or attorney’s contact information.
Page 2 · Proof of service by mail
1–5 · The mailing
Who mailed it, from where, how and when, and whether a copy of the petition was served with the notice.
Persons served
Name and address of each person mailed; DE-121(MA) can list more.
Before you file
Common filing problems to check
These checks come from the official form and instructions. They are not a ranking of rejection reasons; the court decides whether a filing meets its requirements.
The decedent’s other names are not all listed in item 1.
The published version includes material the note says not to print, such as page 2 or the italicized instructions.
The hearing information in item 6 does not match the hearing actually set.
The proof of service on page 2 is unsigned, or persons notified are missing from the list.
E-file it
How to e-file DE-121 with Legal Hub Group
Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts. Availability depends on the live court, case type, document type and whether the case is new or existing.
1
Confirm the court
Check the current court and case-type list. A court must support the particular filing; this guide does not make every form available in every county.
2
Upload and check
Upload the finished papers and their attachments. Lexary checks them for common filing problems. Review the documents and the results before continuing.
3
Review the filing and fees
Confirm the case, document types and payment choice. Review every fee shown before submitting.
4
Submit and track the answer
The court reviews the filing. Keep the court’s acceptance and returned copy, or read its rejection notice before deciding what to do next.
$14.99 Legal Hub Group fee per e-filing, plus applicable court and court-system fees. Each fee is shown before submitting.
E-service is included free where available. No subscription. E-filing and service of opening papers are separate requirements.
Item 7 says you should appear at the hearing and state your objections, or file written objections before the hearing, in person or through your attorney.
What deadline applies to creditors?
Item 8 gives the later of four months from first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, or 60 days from mailing or personal delivery of a notice under Probate Code section 9052. A creditor’s claim is usually made on DE-172.
Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.
Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.
