Skip to content
LitigationForms
DE-135Mandatory

Proof of Holographic Instrument

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

This form is a sworn statement used to prove that certain handwritten parts of a will were actually written and signed by the person who passed away. It requires someone familiar with the deceased person's handwriting to fill it out.

The court describes it as: A person who is familiar with the handwriting of a deceased person uses this to make a sworn statement that handwritten parts of a will were written and signed by the deceased person.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Hearing

Stage: Hearing

This form is used in probate cases when someone needs to prove that a will contains handwritten parts that are genuine to the deceased person.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

Who fills out this form?
A person who knows the handwriting of the deceased person fills out this form. This person must also sign it under penalty of perjury.
What does this form prove?
It is used to make a sworn statement that handwritten parts of a will were written and signed by the person who passed away.
Does this form require an attorney?
The form includes a section for an attorney's certification, but the main declaration is made by a person familiar with the deceased's handwriting.

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-120

    Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust

    This form is a notice that tells interested people about a hearing related to a person's estate or trust. It informs people that a filing has been made and when the hearing is scheduled to take place.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-120(MA)

    Attachment to Notice of Hearing Proof of Service by Mail

    This form is an attachment used to list the names and addresses of people who received a Notice of Hearing by mail. It provides extra space for listing these service details.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • DE-120(P)

    Proof of Personal Service of Notice of Hearing—Decedent's Estate or Trust

    This form is used to tell the court that a Notice of Hearing for a Decedent's Estate or Trust was delivered in person to specific people. It requires the person filing to state that they are over 18 and not a party to the case.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • DE-120(PA)

    Attachment to Notice of Hearing Proof of Personal Service

    This form is an attachment used to list people who were personally given a Notice of Hearing. It provides space to write down the person's name, where they were served, and the date and time of the service.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • DE-122

    Citation—Probate

    This form officially tells a person that they must appear at a court hearing related to a probate case, such as one involving a deceased person's property or a trust. It requires the person to explain why a request made in an attached petition should not be approved.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • DE-131

    Proof of Subscribing Witness

    This form is used by a witness who signed a will or a change to a will (codicil) to make a sworn statement about that document. It asks the witness to confirm details about how the will or codicil was signed and that they understood what they were signing.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • CD-170

    Order for Release and Redelivery of Property

    This form is an official court order that states the judge's decision to cancel (quash) a writ of possession that was issued without a hearing. It also records the court's decision on other requests made by the defendant in the application to cancel the writ.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • 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