How to Fill Out California Form PR-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs

California Form PR-100 is the Probate Case Cover Sheet–Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to a District used in select California Superior Courts (most prominently the Los Angeles Superior Court probate division) to route a new probate filing to the correct courthouse based on the decedent’s residence, the location of estate assets, or the conservatee’s residence. Filers attach PR-100 to a Petition for Probate, a Petition for Letters of Administration, a Petition for Conservatorship, a Petition for Guardianship, or a Spousal Property Petition so the court clerk can assign the case to the right district on day one.

Getting PR-100 wrong is not a paperwork nuisance — it is a case-routing problem. A misrouted probate matter can be transferred between districts, delayed by weeks, and force a refiling fee, and Los Angeles County alone processes more than 25,000 probate filings each year, making accuracy on this single page meaningful for thousands of grieving families.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

  • 📍 How to pick the right district and courthouse on PR-100 the first time
  • 🧾 Which documents and dates you must collect before opening the form
  • ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, including the tricky residence boxes
  • 👥 Three full named-filer examples (decedent estate, conservatorship, guardianship)
  • ⚖️ The exact statutes, local rules, and penalties that govern this filing

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

California Form PR-100 is a local Probate Case Cover Sheet and Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to a court district. It is not a statewide Judicial Council form; it is a local form issued by individual Superior Courts under California Rules of Court, rule 10.613, which lets each court adopt local forms for case management. The Los Angeles Superior Court PR-100 is the most widely used version, and other counties publish similar cover sheets under different numbers.

The form must be filed by anyone opening a probate-division case, including the petitioner in a decedent’s estate, a proposed conservator, a proposed guardian, a surviving spouse filing a Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition under Probate Code § 13650, or a trustee filing a trust petition under Probate Code § 17200. Attorneys file it on behalf of clients; pro se filers file it themselves.

The form solves one job: it tells the clerk where the case belongs. Probate cases are assigned by district based on the decedent’s last residence, the conservatee’s or minor’s residence, or where the estate’s principal assets sit. The clerk uses your PR-100 entries to stamp the case to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, the Lancaster courthouse, the Pomona courthouse, or another approved probate location.

If you skip PR-100 or mis-mark a box, the clerk can reject the filing at the window, transfer the case after filing, or set an Order to Show Cause about venue. That delay is painful when statutory deadlines like the four-month creditor claim window under Probate Code § 9100 are already running.

The current Los Angeles version of the form is PR-100 (Rev. 01/24). Always confirm the revision date in the lower-left corner of the form before filing because local courts update cover sheets without notice on the LA Court forms portal.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Walking up to the courthouse with a half-finished PR-100 is the most common reason for a window rejection. Gather every item below before you open the form so each box has a confirmed answer. The list looks short, but each item ties to a specific box on the form and a specific statute that governs that box.

  • Certified death certificate. You will copy the decedent’s date of death and last residence address directly from this document, and the clerk under Probate Code § 8002 expects those entries to match. Without it, you cannot truthfully complete the residence box.
  • Decedent’s last residential address (not mailing address). District assignment under LASC Local Rule 2.3 is based on physical residence, not P.O. boxes, so a mailing address alone will get the case routed to the wrong courthouse.
  • List of principal estate assets and their locations. If the decedent lived out of state but owned California real property, the asset’s California address controls the district under Probate Code § 7052.
  • Conservatee’s or minor ward’s current address. Conservatorships and guardianships are assigned by the proposed conservatee’s or minor’s actual residence, so a temporary placement address can change the district.
  • The petition you are filing (e.g., DE-111, GC-110, GC-210). PR-100 must match the petition type, and a mismatch causes immediate clerk rejection.
  • Case caption information. The decedent’s, conservatee’s, or minor’s full legal name, written exactly as it appears on the petition, must be carried over to PR-100.
  • Attorney information or pro se contact details. State Bar number, firm name, mailing address, phone, email, and the role being represented.
  • Filing fee or fee waiver. The probate first-paper fee is currently $435 under Government Code § 70650, or form FW-001 if you cannot afford it.
  • Original will and codicils, if any. The clerk lodges the will the same day under Probate Code § 8200, and the existence of a will affects the petition type you check on PR-100.
  • Two extra copies of the petition packet. One for conforming, one for service, plus the original for the court.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official Los Angeles County PR-100 lives on the LASC probate forms page as a fillable PDF. Other counties post their cover sheets on their own forms portals; the California Courts self-help center links out to many of them. Always download the form the day you file because revision dates change.

You can complete PR-100 three ways. First, type directly into the fillable PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader, save a copy, and print it for in-person filing. Second, print the blank PDF and complete it in black ink only, since blue ink can fail the clerk’s scanning intake. Third, use the LASC online filing portal for electronic filing in cases that allow eFiling.

Pro se filers can also pick up a paper PR-100 at the filing window of any LASC probate courthouse, including the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 N. Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. The window clerks will hand you the current revision but will not help you fill it out, because that crosses into legal advice.

If you are filing in a county other than Los Angeles, search “[county name] superior court probate cover sheet” on the California Courts find-your-court tool. Sacramento, San Diego, and Orange counties each have their own version of the cover sheet, and the box numbers do not always match LA’s PR-100.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out PR-100 Line by Line

Attorney or Party Without Attorney Box (Top Left)

This is the top-left block on PR-100, the same block you see on every California pleading. It asks who is filing — either the attorney of record or the pro se filer.

To answer, enter the full name, State Bar number (for attorneys), firm name, mailing address, phone, fax, and email. Use ALL CAPS for the name to match court formatting standards.

For example, Maria Lopez, Esq., SBN 234567, Lopez Probate Law APC, 800 W. 6th Street, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90017, (213) 555-0142, maria@lopezprobate.com fits cleanly in the box.

A nuance shows up for pro se filers: write “In Pro Per” in the State Bar number line so the clerk knows you are self-represented. If you have a P.O. Box, list it as the mailing address but be ready to provide a physical address if the court asks under California Rule of Court 2.111.

The most common mistake here is using a stale email — the court sends minute orders to the email on this form, and a bounced email means you miss your hearing date. The direct consequence is a missed appearance and a possible dismissal under Probate Code § 8003.

A misconception filers carry into this box is that they can list any “convenient” address. The address listed becomes the address of record for all service in the case, and changing it later requires a separate Notice of Change of Address.

Court Branch and Address Box (Top Center)

This box names the Superior Court and the specific courthouse where you intend the case to be filed. It is the output of the rest of the form, not an independent guess.

To answer, write “Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles” on the first line and the specific courthouse name and address on the lines below, such as Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

For example, Marcus Chen, filing for his late father who lived in Long Beach, writes Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles and Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, because LASC currently centralizes decedent estates at Mosk.

A nuance: conservatorship and guardianship cases are not centralized — they are assigned by the conservatee’s or minor’s residence to the nearest district courthouse. Picking Mosk for an Antelope Valley conservatorship is wrong.

A common mistake on this box is writing the courthouse closest to the filer’s home instead of the courthouse tied to the decedent or conservatee. The direct consequence is transfer to the correct district under LASC Local Rule 2.3(b), which adds 2–6 weeks to the schedule.

A misconception is that “venue” and “district” are the same word. Venue is governed by Probate Code § 7051 at the county level; district is the intra-county assignment, which is what PR-100 controls.

Case Name Box (Top Right)

The case name identifies the matter for the clerk’s intake system and must mirror the petition exactly.

To answer, write “Estate of [Decedent’s Full Legal Name], Deceased” for decedent estates, “Conservatorship of [Proposed Conservatee’s Name]” for conservatorships, or “Guardianship of [Minor’s Name], a Minor” for guardianships.

For example, Estate of Robert James Whitman, Deceased is the correct entry for an estate matter.

A nuance: if the decedent used multiple names (an “AKA”), list the primary legal name first followed by “aka [other name]”. The aka must also appear on the petition and on the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate (DE-121).

A common mistake is writing only the decedent’s first and last name. The direct consequence is a docket mismatch when the will or deed lists a middle name, and the clerk may reject the petition until the names align.

A misconception is that the case name can be “fixed later.” Once a case number is issued, changing the case name requires an ex parte application and a judge’s signature, which is a formal motion you do not want.

Case Number Box

This box is left blank by the filer. The clerk stamps the case number after intake.

To answer, simply leave the box empty. Do not write “TBD” or “Pending”; that confuses the intake clerk.

For example, Maria Lopez submits the form with the case number box empty, and the clerk stamps 24STPB04567 into it during filing.

A nuance: if you are filing a related petition in an existing probate case (such as a Petition for Final Distribution), you fill in the existing case number here yourself.

A common mistake is writing the decedent’s date of death or social security number in this box because the boxes look similar. The consequence is a privacy breach and a forced redaction under California Rule of Court 1.201.

A misconception is that the case number is generated before filing. It is generated at filing, in real time, by the clerk’s case management system.

Item 1 – Type of Case (Check One Box)

This is the first substantive section of PR-100. It asks the filer to identify the category of probate case being opened so the clerk routes it correctly.

To answer, check exactly one box from the list, which typically includes: Decedent’s Estate, Conservatorship of the Person, Conservatorship of the Estate, Conservatorship of the Person and Estate, Guardianship of the Person, Guardianship of the Estate, Guardianship of the Person and Estate, Trust, and Other.

For example, Marcus Chen checks “Decedent’s Estate” because he is petitioning to administer his father’s estate under Probate Code § 8000.

A nuance: a Spousal or Domestic Partner Property Petition under Probate Code § 13650 is not a “Decedent’s Estate” — many courts treat it as “Other” with a write-in, while others have a dedicated checkbox.

A common mistake is checking both “Conservatorship of the Person” and “Conservatorship of the Estate” when you actually want the combined option. The consequence is two case numbers, two filing fees, and two hearings, which doubles cost and delay.

A misconception is that “Trust” covers any trust dispute. Routine trustee actions go under Probate Code § 17200, but contested trust contests may need to be paired with a civil cover sheet, depending on relief sought.

Item 2 – Grounds for District Assignment (Check All That Apply)

Item 2 is the heart of PR-100. It is the certification under penalty of perjury that the case belongs in the chosen district based on residence or asset location.

To answer, check every box that applies among options like “Decedent resided in this district at time of death,” “Decedent’s principal estate is located in this district,” “Proposed conservatee resides in this district,” “Proposed minor ward resides in this district,” and “Trust is administered in this district.”

For example, Aisha Patel, petitioning for guardianship of her 9-year-old nephew who lives with her in Pomona, checks “Proposed minor ward resides in this district” only.

A nuance: if the decedent died in a hospital outside their home district, the home district controls, not the hospital district, because residence is about domicile, not place of death.

A common mistake is checking “Decedent’s principal estate is located in this district” when the decedent only owned a checking account at a branch in that district. Asset location for routing means real property or the bulk of personal property, not a single bank branch.

A misconception is that you can pick the most convenient district by checking any plausible box. This certification is signed under penalty of perjury under Code of Civil Procedure § 2015.5, and a knowingly false venue declaration can support sanctions.

Item 3 – Address of Decedent, Conservatee, or Minor

This box anchors the certification in Item 2 by asking for the actual residence address.

To answer, write the street address, city, state, and ZIP of the person whose residence controls assignment. Use the residence address, not a mailing address.

For example, 4221 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803 is what Marcus Chen enters for his late father.

A nuance: if the decedent was in a skilled nursing facility for the last weeks of life, the prior residence usually controls if domicile never changed. Domicile follows intent, not the last bed slept in.

A common mistake is using the address from the death certificate’s “place of death” line. The death certificate’s “residence” line is the correct source.

A misconception is that homeless decedents have no district. The court uses the last known residence; if truly unknown, the district where the decedent died controls under Probate Code § 7052.

Item 4 – Hearing or Filing Type Indicator

Some PR-100 versions include an Item 4 that asks whether the filing is an initial petition or a subsequent petition in an existing case. This affects whether a new case number issues.

To answer, check “Initial filing” for a new case or “Subsequent filing” for a later petition in an existing matter.

For example, Janet Rivera, filing her late mother’s first petition for probate, checks “Initial filing.”

A nuance: a Petition for Letters of Special Administration is treated as initial, even when filed concurrently with a regular petition, because it requests its own letters under Probate Code § 8540.

A common mistake is marking a Petition for Final Distribution as “Initial.” The consequence is a duplicate case number and a clerk’s rejection notice mailed to your address of record.

A misconception is that “subsequent” means an amended petition. An amended petition is filed under the same case number; “subsequent” refers to a new petition (e.g., for fees) inside an existing case.

Item 5 – Certification, Date, and Signature

The final item is the signed certification that everything in PR-100 is true.

To answer, type or print the filer’s name, write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format, and sign in blue or black ink above the printed name. Attorneys sign in their own name; pro se filers sign in their own name.

For example, Maria Lopez prints her name, dates the form 03/14/2026, and signs above her printed name.

A nuance: an electronic signature is acceptable under Code of Civil Procedure § 17 when filing through the LASC eFiling portal — use “/s/ Maria Lopez” or a digital signature image.

A common mistake is dating the form earlier than the petition itself. The consequence is a clerk’s question about whether PR-100 was completed before the petition existed.

A misconception is that a paralegal can sign for the attorney. Only the attorney of record or the party may sign this certification, because it is sworn under penalty of perjury.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Example 1: Marcus Chen — Decedent’s Estate in Long Beach

Marcus is petitioning to administer his father Robert James Whitman’s estate. His father lived in Long Beach and owned a single-family home there.

Form Section What Marcus Enters
Attorney/Party box Marcus Chen, In Pro Per, 14 Anchor Way, Long Beach, CA 90803, (562) 555-0199
Court branch Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Case name Estate of Robert James Whitman, Deceased
Case number (left blank)
Item 1 – Type of case ☑ Decedent’s Estate
Item 2 – Grounds ☑ Decedent resided in this district at time of death; ☑ Decedent’s principal estate is located in this district
Item 3 – Address 4221 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803
Item 4 – Filing type ☑ Initial filing
Item 5 – Signature Marcus Chen, 03/14/2026, /s/ Marcus Chen

Example 2: Aisha Patel — Guardianship of a Minor in Pomona

Aisha is seeking guardianship of her 9-year-old nephew Jordan who has lived with her since his parents’ death.

Form Section What Aisha Enters
Attorney/Party box Aisha Patel, In Pro Per, 902 Oak Ridge Lane, Pomona, CA 91767, (909) 555-0166
Court branch Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Pomona Courthouse South
Case name Guardianship of Jordan Patel, a Minor
Case number (left blank)
Item 1 – Type of case ☑ Guardianship of the Person
Item 2 – Grounds ☑ Proposed minor ward resides in this district
Item 3 – Address 902 Oak Ridge Lane, Pomona, CA 91767
Item 4 – Filing type ☑ Initial filing
Item 5 – Signature Aisha Patel, 03/15/2026, /s/ Aisha Patel

Example 3: Janet Rivera — Conservatorship in the Antelope Valley

Janet is petitioning to be appointed conservator of the person and estate for her 78-year-old mother Elena, who lives in Lancaster.

Form Section What Janet Enters
Attorney/Party box David Kim, Esq., SBN 312445, Kim Elder Law, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA 93534, (661) 555-0123
Court branch Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse
Case name Conservatorship of Elena Rivera
Case number (left blank)
Item 1 – Type of case ☑ Conservatorship of the Person and Estate
Item 2 – Grounds ☑ Proposed conservatee resides in this district
Item 3 – Address 44150 Sierra Hwy., Apt. 12B, Lancaster, CA 93534
Item 4 – Filing type ☑ Initial filing
Item 5 – Signature David Kim, 03/16/2026, /s/ David Kim

How to File the Completed Form

PR-100 is filed with the petition packet, never alone. Once you have signed PR-100, attach it as the top sheet of the packet so the intake clerk sees it first and routes the case correctly.

You can file in person at the filing window of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse or any LASC probate district courthouse during business hours, generally 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The first-paper fee is $435 under Government Code § 70650, payable by cash, check, or credit card (with a small convenience fee). The clerk hands back conformed copies the same day, which is your proof of filing.

You can also file by mail to the courthouse address shown on the LASC probate filing locations page. Include a check made payable to “Los Angeles Superior Court,” a self-addressed stamped envelope, and an extra conformed-copy set. Mail filings typically conform within 7–14 business days, and the postmark is not the filing date — the clerk’s intake date is.

Electronic filing is available through the LASC’s authorized eFiling service providers listed on the LASC eFiling page. The system charges the $435 first-paper fee plus a per-document eFiling fee. You receive an electronic file-stamped copy within 24–48 hours, which is your proof of filing.

If you cannot afford the fee, file Form FW-001 at the same time as PR-100. Approval defers or waives the $435 fee under Government Code § 68631.

What Happens After You File

Once the clerk accepts the packet, three things happen on the same day. First, a case number is issued and stamped onto PR-100, the petition, and every conformed copy. Second, the case is assigned to the district courthouse you certified on PR-100. Third, the clerk sets a first hearing date, typically 30–45 days out for decedent estates and faster for emergency conservatorships.

Within a few days, you receive the conformed PR-100 and petition either at the window, by return mail, or in your eFiling inbox. The hearing date and department appear on the clerk’s notice. From that point, statutory clocks under the Probate Code start running, including the four-month creditor claim window.

If the clerk believes PR-100 was completed incorrectly, the petition can still be accepted but flagged for an intra-county transfer under LASC Local Rule 2.3. You receive a notice of transfer and a new department assignment, and you do not pay a second fee, but the calendar resets and your hearing slides.

A judge can also raise the issue sua sponte at the first hearing. If the case is in the wrong district, the judge orders transfer and continues the matter. The takeaway is that early accuracy on PR-100 protects the entire schedule downstream.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

  • Using the decedent’s mailing address instead of residence address. The case routes to the wrong courthouse and triggers a transfer order.
  • Checking the wrong case type. A miscategorized petition can be rejected at the window or routed to the wrong department.
  • Filling in a case number on a brand-new filing. This confuses intake and pushes the packet to the bottom of the stack.
  • Signing in pencil or erasable ink. The clerk rejects unsigned or non-permanent signatures under California Rule of Court 2.100.
  • Listing a P.O. Box as the residence address. Residence is a physical place; a P.O. Box defeats district assignment.
  • Choosing a courthouse based on the filer’s location. District assignment depends on the decedent or conservatee, not the petitioner.
  • Forgetting to date the form. An undated certification can be voided as defective.
  • Mismatching the case name to the petition. Even a missing middle name causes a docket mismatch.
  • Failing to check Item 2 boxes. A blank Item 2 leaves the certification unsupported, and the clerk can reject the packet.
  • Filing PR-100 as a standalone document. It must accompany a petition; a stray PR-100 does not open a case.
  • Ignoring the form’s revision date. Old revisions can be rejected at intake when the court has updated the cover sheet.
  • Listing an outdated email address for the attorney box. All electronic notices route there, so missed hearings follow.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do download a fresh copy of PR-100 the day you file, because LASC updates local forms without notice.
  • Do match the case name on PR-100 exactly to the petition, since the clerk indexes by this string.
  • Do staple PR-100 on top of the petition packet so intake sees the routing certification first.
  • Do keep one extra conformed copy for your own records — courthouses do not re-conform later for free.
  • Do verify the residence address with the certified death certificate before signing, because Item 5 is sworn.
  • Do file electronically when possible; eFiling cuts mail delays and provides an instant timestamp.

Don’ts

  • Don’t guess on Item 2; pick boxes only when you have documentary support for them.
  • Don’t write in red ink, which scanners drop, leading to blank fields in the digital file.
  • Don’t list a paralegal or assistant in the attorney box — only the signing attorney’s information belongs there.
  • Don’t file PR-100 without the underlying petition, because the clerk has no case to attach it to.
  • Don’t backdate the form to match the petition; the dates can differ by a day or two without issue.
  • Don’t ignore an LASC notice of transfer; respond promptly so the new district can calendar your hearing.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of filing PR-100 yourself

  • You save attorney time and fees, which can run $300–$600 per hour in California probate.
  • You learn the local rules early, which helps later when court appearances begin.
  • You control the timing and pace of the filing, instead of waiting on a busy attorney’s calendar.
  • You can use the LASC Self-Help Center for free guidance on routine probate filings.
  • You build a complete personal file of conformed copies without depending on a third party.

Cons of filing PR-100 yourself

  • A single wrong checkbox can route the case to the wrong district and stall the schedule.
  • Pro se filers cannot get legal advice from clerks — only “procedural information” — so judgment calls fall on you.
  • Mistakes on PR-100 ripple into the petition, the Notice of Petition to Administer Estate, and the publication, multiplying the cost of fixes.
  • Probate calendars are unforgiving — missed deadlines under Probate Code § 9100 can extinguish creditor claims or, conversely, expose the estate to late ones.
  • Without an attorney, complex assets like out-of-state real property or tax-affected accounts can be miscategorized on PR-100 and downstream filings.

Probate Cover Sheet Variations Across California

Court Local Cover Sheet
Los Angeles Superior Court PR-100, available on the LASC probate forms page
San Diego Superior Court Probate Case Cover Sheet via the San Diego court forms page
Sacramento Superior Court Local probate cover sheet on the Sacramento court forms page
Orange County Superior Court Probate cover sheet listed on the OC court forms page
Smaller counties Often use the standard Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010) instead

FAQs

Is PR-100 a statewide California Judicial Council form?

No. PR-100 is a local Superior Court form, most prominently used in Los Angeles County. The statewide forms set is published on the Judicial Council forms page.

Do I need PR-100 if I’m filing a small estate affidavit under Probate Code § 13100?

No. A § 13100 small estate affidavit is collected directly from the asset holder and is not filed with the court, so PR-100 does not apply.

Can I file PR-100 electronically with the Los Angeles Superior Court?

Yes. PR-100 can be eFiled through an authorized provider listed on the LASC eFiling portal along with the petition.

What address goes in Item 3 if the decedent lived in a nursing home?

No mailing address — write the decedent’s last domicile address, which is usually the home before the nursing facility, unless intent to change domicile was clear.

Do I check “Decedent’s Estate” or “Other” for a Spousal Property Petition?

No single rule applies — many filers check “Other” and write “Spousal Property Petition (Prob. Code § 13650)”; confirm with your courthouse before filing.

Is the case number required on PR-100 at filing?

No. Leave the case number blank for a new filing; the clerk stamps it on at intake.

Can a paralegal sign PR-100 for the attorney?

No. Only the attorney of record or the pro se party may sign, because Item 5 is a sworn certification.

Does PR-100 by itself open a probate case?

No. PR-100 is a cover sheet that must accompany a Petition for Probate, conservatorship petition, or other initiating document.

What happens if I check the wrong district on Item 2?

Yes, the case can be transferred under LASC Local Rule 2.3, causing weeks of delay even though no second fee is charged.

Should I list a P.O. Box as the decedent’s address in Item 3?

No. Item 3 calls for the decedent’s residence; a P.O. Box defeats the district-assignment purpose of the form.

Do I file a separate PR-100 for each subsequent petition in the same case?

No. Once a case number exists, subsequent petitions usually use the existing caption; PR-100 is mainly for initial filings.

Is there a filing fee just for PR-100?

No. PR-100 itself has no fee; the $435 first-paper fee under Government Code § 70650 is for the petition it accompanies.

Can I correct a wrong checkbox on PR-100 after filing?

Yes. File an amended PR-100 with a brief declaration explaining the correction; the clerk re-routes the case if district assignment changes.

Does PR-100 need to be served on heirs or beneficiaries?

No. PR-100 is an internal court routing document and is not required to be served, although a copy is typically included in the served packet.