Skip to content
LitigationForms
DE-125Mandatory

Summons (Probate)

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 1998

This form is a Summons used in probate cases to officially tell people that a court case has started that might affect their share of an estate. It informs the person served that they have 30 calendar days to file a written response with the court if they want to be heard.

The court describes it as: Tells parties other than the petitioner that a probate case has started and what can happen if a response is not filed in 30 days.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used when a probate case has begun and needs to notify people who might be affected by the estate's matters.

Prepared by the court or clerk.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What does this form tell me about responding to the court?
It states that you have 30 calendar days after being served to file a written response with the court if you wish to be heard. A letter or phone call will not be enough to protect your rights.
Who needs to fill out this form?
The form includes sections for the court to fill out, and it also has a Proof of Service section that details how and when the documents were delivered.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 1998.

Related forms

  • DE-111

    Petition for Probate

    This form is used to ask the court to start the legal process for handling a deceased person's property, paying off any debts, and settling their financial matters. It asks for details about the deceased person and the estate's assets.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-115

    Notice of Hearing on Petition to Determine Claim to Property

    This form is a notice that tells people about a court hearing to decide who has a claim to certain property in an estate or trust. It provides the date, time, and location of the hearing and warns people about what might happen if they do not attend or respond.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-121

    Notice of Petition to Administer Estate

    This form is a notice that tells interested people that a request to start the process of managing a deceased person's property has been filed with the court. It informs people about the hearing date and what they can do if they disagree with the request.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-121(MA)

    Attachment to Notice of Petition to Administer Estate—Proof of Service by Mail

    This form is an attachment used with the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate (DE-121). It provides extra space to list the names and addresses of people who received the notice by mail.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • DE-172

    Creditor's Claim

    This form is used by someone who is owed money or property by a deceased person's estate to formally file a claim with the court. It asks the claimant to list the details of the debt and sign a statement confirming the information is true.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-221

    Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition (Probate—Decedents Estates)

    This form is used to ask the court to decide that some or all of a deceased person's property does not need to go through the formal probate process because it belongs to the surviving spouse or registered domestic partner.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-260

    Report of Sale and Petition for Order Confirming Sale of Real Property

    This form is used by a personal representative, conservator, or guardian to tell the court about selling real estate belonging to an estate, guardianship, or conservatorship. It also asks the court to officially approve or confirm that sale.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-270

    Ex Parte Petition for Authority to Sell Securities and Order

    This form is used by a person managing an estate, guardianship, or conservatorship to ask the court for permission, without a hearing, to sell stocks or bonds belonging to the estate. It also includes a section for the court to issue an order approving the sale.

    MandatoryFillable PDF