Form De 150 – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Updated: Nov 3, 2026

The DE-150 form, officially known as Letters (Probate), is a mandatory document in the state of California for probate proceedings. This form is used to appoint a personal representative—such as an executor or administrator—for a deceased person's estate, granting them the authority to manage and distribute the estate according to the will or state law. It includes various sections, such as affirmation by the personal representative and certification by the court clerk, to ensure the proper handling of the estate. For individuals involved in managing a deceased person's estate, completing and submitting the DE-150 form is a critical step. Click the button below to get started on filling out your form.

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Form De 150 PDF Details

When someone passes away, managing their estate becomes a priority to ensure that their wishes are honored and assets are distributed correctly. This process often involves the use of specific legal documents, and one such essential document is the DE-150 form, known in the legal community as "Letters." This form plays a crucial role in the probate process within the Superior Court of California. It essentially acts as a formal authorization for a designated individual, whether an executor, administrator with a will annexed, or a special administrator, to carry out the wishes of the decedent's estate as outlined in their last will or according to state law when no will is present. Part of the form's function is to appoint this individual officially and delineate their powers, which may include selling real estate, handling financial transactions, or managing various estate-related duties without direct court supervision. Additionally, the DE-150 form includes an affirmation or certification by the person taking on this responsibility, asserting their commitment to performing their duties lawfully. For anyone involved in administering an estate, understanding and accurately completing this form is a significant step in the probate process, ensuring that they have the legal authority to proceed with estate management tasks.

Question	Answer
Form Name	Form De 150
Form Length	1 pages
Fillable?	Yes
Fillable fields	7
Avg. time to fill out	1 min 43 sec
Other names	california probate form printable, california probate form, california letters administration, de150

How to Fill Out Form DE-150

Form DE-150 at a glance

What it is: Form DE-150, LETTERS (Probate), a Form Approved by the Judicial Council of California, is for LETTERS TESTAMENTARY, OF ADMINISTRATION, SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION and OF ADMINISTRATION WITH WILL ANNEXED.

Who signs: Sign on the (SIGNATURE) line.

A filled-in Form DE-150 example: an executor fills out the Letters

Form DE-150 example filled out, example: an executor fills out the Letters — Ana Sample, a named executor, fills out Form DE-150 for the court. The court proved the will of Ben Sample and appoints her executor. The picture shows page 1 only, and none of its entries is real. She has no attorney, so ATTORNEY FOR stays empty. Letters Testamentary is the kind of Letters, so the other three kinds stay empty. The will is proved, so the court appoints choice stays empty. She is an individual, so the public administrator and institutional fiduciary choices in the affirmation stay empty. Independent administration authority is left blank because the court grants none in this example. Possession of money or property is left blank because the court order is not part of this example.

How to fill out Form DE-150, box by box

Attorney or party, court and estate of

Enter the Name, state bar number, and address of the ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY, and the TELEPHONE AND FAX NOS. (not FOR COURT USE ONLY).

Enter the ATTORNEY FOR (Name) and the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF.

Enter the street address, mailing address, city and zip code and branch name.

Enter the ESTATE OF (Name).

Letters and case number

Mark LETTERS TESTAMENTARY, OF ADMINISTRATION WITH WILL ANNEXED, OF ADMINISTRATION or SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION.

Enter the CASE NUMBER.

1. The last will proved and 2. The court appoints

The last will of the decedent having been proved, the court appoints (name).

Mark executor or administrator with will annexed.

The court appoints (name).

Mark administrator of the decedent's estate or special administrator of decedent's estate.

For a special administrator, mark (1) with the special powers specified in the Order for Probate or (2) with the powers of a general administrator, and (3) letters will expire on (date).

3. Independent administration authority

Mark 3 only when the court grants it. The personal representative is authorized to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full authority or with limited authority (no authority, without court supervision, to (1) sell or exchange real property or (2) grant an option to purchase real property or (3) borrow money with the loan secured by an encumbrance upon real property).

4. Possession of money or property

Mark 4 only for a specific court order: The personal representative is not authorized to take possession of money or any other property without a specific court order.

The affirmation: public administrator, individual or institutional fiduciary

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR: No affirmation required (Prob. Code, § 7621(c)).

INDIVIDUAL: I solemnly affirm that I will perform the duties of personal representative according to law.

INSTITUTIONAL FIDUCIARY (name): I solemnly affirm that the institution will perform the duties of personal representative according to law. I make this affirmation for myself as an individual and on behalf of the institution as an officer. (Name and title):

Executed on, at and the signature

Where you sign (SIGNATURE), enter Executed on (date): at (place), California.

Common questions about Form DE-150

What am I certifying when I sign?

Sign (SIGNATURE) under the AFFIRMATION you checked. INDIVIDUAL: "I solemnly affirm that I will perform the duties of personal representative according to law." INSTITUTIONAL FIDUCIARY: "I solemnly affirm that the institution will perform the duties of personal representative according to law." PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR: No affirmation required. The CERTIFICATION is for the clerk of the court, with seal of the court affixed. The LETTERS name the court's appointment: executor, administrator with will annexed, administrator of the decedent's estate, or special administrator of decedent's estate.

Sources

[1] Form DE-150 (Rev. January 1, 1998), LETTERS (Probate), Judicial Council of California (the Official source link on this page).