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DE-172Mandatory

Creditor's Claim

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

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.

The court describes it as: Those to whom a deceased person owes money or other property (creditors) use this to make a claim against the estate. Also explains how to fill out the claim, when and how to file it, and what may happen if it is not filed on time.

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 by creditors to make a claim against an estate. The claimant must file it with the court clerk by a specific deadline and also send a copy to the estate's personal representative.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

Who should file this form?
The creditor, or a person acting on behalf of the creditor, files this form.
What must happen after filing this form?
The claimant must mail or take the original claim to the court clerk's office for filing, and they must also mail or deliver a copy to the personal representative.
What happens if the claim is not filed correctly?
The form includes a warning that the claim may be invalid if it is not properly completed, filed on time, and copied to the personal representative and their attorney.

Revision history

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

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