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Deadlines and Timelines in California Probate

By Andrew Gold, Esq.

What Are The Deadlines and Timelines In California Probate?

Key deadlines and timelines in California probate include:

  • Contesting appointment of personal representative: at or before hearing (by filing written objections)
  • Response to will contest: within 30 days after service of summons
  • Petition to Revoke Probate: within 120 days after will is admitted to probate
  • Inventory and Appraisal: within 4 months of issuance of letters
  • Creditor Claim: 4 months after letters or 60 days after notice
 

For a downloadable (pdf) of the California probate deadlines and timelines guide, click California Probate Deadlines and Timelines.

TYPE OF FILING

DEADLINES

Cal. Prob. Code

 

 

 

Petition To Establish Death

If administration pending, any time before filing of the petition for final distribution

§202

Reporting Death To Director Of Health Care Services

No later than 90 days after Decedent’s death

§215

Notice That Decedent’s Genetic Material Available For Purpose Of Posthumous Conception

Within·   4 months of issuance of death certificate OR·   Entry of judgment determining Decedents death, whichever occurs first

§249.5

Action To Impose Liability Under Section 249.6 (Improper Distribution Of Property After Receiving 249.5 Notice)

Within·   3 years after distribution of property OR·   3 years after discovery of fraud,whichever occurs later

§249.6

Disclaimer Of Interest

Within reasonable time after person able to disclaim acquires knowledge of interest (9 months after death or vesting presumed reasonable)

§279

Action To Establish Liability Of Decedent Covered By Insurance

Within 1 year after expiration of the limitations period otherwise applicable, if the limitations period otherwise applicable has not expired at the time of decedent’s death

§551

Petition For Exempt Property

Upon filing of inventory or subsequently during administration of estate

§6510

Petition To Select And Set Apart Probate Homestead

Upon filing of inventory or subsequently during administration of estate

§6520

Petition For Small Estate Set Aside

Any time prior to entry of order for final distribution of estate

§6600-6615

Petition For Administration By Named Executor In Will

Within 30 days of knowledge of decedent’s death or may be held to have waived right to appointment

§8001

Contesting Appointment Of Personal Representative

At hearing on petition or file written objections before hearing (hearing occurs 15-30 days, or upon request 30-45 days, from filing of petition)

§8003

Delivery Of Will To Clerk And Copy To Named Executor By Custodian Of Will

30 days after having knowledge of testator’s death

§8200

Petition For Probate Of Second Will

Later of·   120 days after issuance of order admitting first will to probate or determining decedent intestate, OR·    60 days after proponent first obtains knowledge of the will

§8226

Response To Will Contest

30 days after service of summons

§8250

Petition To Revoke Probate

·   Within 120 days after a will is admitted to probate (not available to a party to a will contest or person who could have been a party with actual notice) OR·    before entry of order for final distribution if petition filed by minor or an incompetent

§8270

Filing Inventory And AppraisalAndSection 480 Certification

Within 4 months after letters are first issued to a general personal representative

§8800

Written Objection To Appraisal

Anytime before hearing on petition for final distribution of the estate

§8906

Notice To Creditors

Within later of·   4 months after date letters are first issued·   30 days after personal representative first has knowledge of creditor

§9051

Filing A Creditor Claim

Expiration of the later of·   4 months after date letters are first issued to general personal representative·   60 days after date notice is mailed or personally delivered to creditor

§9100

Revision Or Amendment Of Creditor Claim

For no purpose after the earlier of·   Order of final distribution of estate·   1 year after letters of administration first issued to general personal representative

§9104

Service Of Creditor Claim On Personal Representative

Within the later of·   30 days of the filing of the claim or·   4 months after letters issue to a personal representative with general powers

§9150

Notice Of Death To Director Of Health Care Services/Director Of California Victim Compensation Board/Franchise Tax Board

Not later than 90 days after the date letters are first issued to a general personal representative

§9202

Action On A Rejected Claim

90 days from notice of rejection (rejection assumed if refusal or neglect to act within 30 days of filing)

§9250

Contest The Validity Of An Allowed Claim

Any time before settlement of the report or account of the personal representative in which first reported as allowed

§9254

Claim On Action (When No Action Pending At Death)

·   90 days after notice of rejection given if claim due at time of notice·   90 days after claim becomes due if claim not due at time notice of rejection given

§9353

Claim On Action (When Action Pending At Time Of Death)

Application for order to substitute personal representative in action must be applied for within 3 months after notice of rejection given

§9370

Petition To Vacate Order Of Confirmation Of Sale

Within 60 days after confirmation of sale

§10351

Petition For Order Determining Amount Of Expenses Of Administration Of Encumbered Property

At any time before payment is made to satisfy all liens on the encumbered property sold

§10361.5

Action For Recovery Of Property Sold By A Personal Representative

The later of·   3 years after the settlement of the final account·   3 years after the discovery of any fraud upon which the action is based

§10382

Petition Requesting Allowance On The Compensation Of The Personal Representative Or Attorney For The Personal Representative

Any time after 4 months from issuance of letters

§10830

Petition Fixing And Allowing Personal Representative Compensation And Attorney For Personal Representative Compensation

At the time of the filing of the final account and petition for an order for final distribution

§10831

Account

·   1 year after issuance of letters

§10950

Petition For Preliminary Distribution

Cannot be filed unless 2 months have elapsed after letters are first issued to general personal representative

§11620

Petition For Determination Of Persons Entitled To Distribution

Any time after letters issues and before order of final distribution

§11700

Petition For Order For Final Distribution Or Status Report Of Administration

·   If no federal tax return required, within 1 year after issuance of letters·   If federal tax return required, within 18 months after issuance of letters

§12200

Small Estate Affidavit – Personal Property

Must wait to file a minimum of 40 days after death

§13100

Petition For Order Determining Succession To Real Property (Small Estates)

Must wait to file a minimum of 40 days after death

§13151

Small Estate Affidavit – Real Property

Must wait to file a minimum of 6 months after death

§13200

Surviving Spouse Right To Dispose Of Community Or Quasi-Community Property

After 40 days from death of spouse

§13540

Download California Probate Deadlines and Timelines.

How Long Can A California Estate Remain Open?

The California Probate Code says that a Petition for Order for Final Distribution should be filed within 1 year from issuance of letters of administration, in an estate where no federal tax return is required.  If a federal tax return is required, the petition should be filed within 18 months of issuance of letters.  These deadlines apply to California probates that are not heavily litigated.  If the probate involves a will contest or other litigation, the estate will remain open longer.

Andrew S. Gold, Esq.

Probate & Trust Litigation

Hourly & Contingency Fees Available

goldesq.com

(650) 450-9600

 

 

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