Table of Contents

DE-120(P): Proof of Personal Service of Notice of Hearing (California)

The DE-120(P) form is used when you need to provide proof that a Notice of Hearing in relation to a decedent's estate or trust has been personally delivered to involved parties, confirming that they have been formally informed of the legal proceedings.
Official {court-form-name} PDF Download

Instead of using the PDF, use Gavel’s workflows to generate your DE-120(P) form

Tips for filling out form DE-120(P)

When completing form DE-120(P), pay special attention to these less obvious sections:

Attachment

Additional Persons

Use Form DE-120(PA)/GC-020(PA) if you need to list more people served than the form allows space for. This ensures that you are complying with the requirement to provide information for all individuals served.
Item 1

Eligibility

Ensure you are not a party to the case before attempting to serve the notice, as this is a common mistake made by individuals unfamiliar with the requirements of serving legal documents.
Item 3

Notice Copy

Remember to attach the actual Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust to this proof of service form. Failing to do so can invalidate the proof of service.
Item 4

Service Role

Determine your status regarding service—such as whether you are a registered process server, a California sheriff or marshal, or exempt from registration—before proceeding. This can affect how you complete the form and whether the service is valid.
Item 5

Contact Information

Include your complete contact details, and if applicable, your process server registration information. Incomplete information can lead to issues with service validation.
Name and Address

Details Accuracy

For each person served, precisely enter the address where the service took place along with the exact date and time. Any discrepancies can lead the court to dismiss the service as incorrect.

What to do after filing form DE-120(P)

1
Retain a copy of the filed DE-120(P) form for your personal records and ensure that it is securely stored.
2
Verify the court's schedule for the hearing related to the Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust to ensure no changes have been made.
3
Notify the involved parties that they have been served and remind them of the upcoming hearing date, if necessary.
4
Prepare any additional documents or evidence you need to present at the hearing as per the court's requirements.
5
Attend the scheduled hearing at the specified date and time to participate in the proceedings related to the decedent's estate or trust.
Gavel automates client intake, document drafting, and revenue generation so you can focus on practicing law.