When it's used
Filed within four months of the personal representative's appointment, after the probate referee completes appraisal.
Definition
The Inventory and Appraisal on Judicial Council form DE-160 is a mandatory probate filing under California Probate Code §8800 et seq. that catalogs all assets belonging to the decedent’s estate and assigns each asset a fair market value as of the date of death, as appraised by a court-appointed probate referee. The personal representative must file the DE-160 within four months of appointment, covering all probate assets including real property, bank and brokerage accounts, business interests, vehicles, and personal property. The paralegal compiles the asset inventory from the decedent’s financial records, deeds, and account statements, coordinates with the probate referee to supply the necessary documentation for appraisal, and prepares the DE-160 attachments in the required format. An accurate and complete Inventory and Appraisal sets the baseline for estate tax calculations, creditor claims, and the ultimate distribution to beneficiaries.