Source: https://www.sweeneyprobatelaw.com/Articles/CONTINUING-OR-INITIATING-LAWSUITS-ON-BEHALF-OF-DECEDENTS.shtml
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 20:28:20+00:00

Document:
If a plaintiff dies during litigation, the action will most likely survive the decedent's death, with the most common exception being a claim for damages for pain and suffering. In order to continue the litigation on the decedent's behalf, certain procedures must be followed. Either the personal representative of the decedent's estate or the decedent's successor in interest (if there is no personal representative) may pursue the litigation on behalf of the decedent.
Of course, the personal representative or successor in interest has the option of choosing whomever he or she desires as counsel. The factors involved in determining whether the personal representative or successor in interest will retain the decedent's former counsel will include counsel's knowledge of and involvement in the case as well as the issue of continuity.
When a plaintiff dies in the middle of a lawsuit, the motion to allow the action to be continued by the decedent's personal representative or, if none, by the decedent's successor in interest is filed in the court in which the action was already proceeding. The litigator chosen to pursue the lawsuit can completely avoid the probate department if probate counsel has been retained to open a probate and administer the estate.
So long as the action is one that survives death, the representative may commence the action on behalf of the decedent any time before the later of six months after the decedent's death or within the limitations period that would have been applicable had the person not died.8 This affords the representative at least six months to sift through the decedent's papers and discover, evaluate, and commence action on any claims the decedent might have had but did not initiate prior to death.
The story of the untimely demise of litigants or potential litigants has a clear moral. If a case has been litigated to death (or was about to be filed when one of the parties died), specific procedural actions must be taken quickly. Under these circumstances, the probate court does not provide litigants with the luxury of time.
1 Code Civ. Proc. §377.11.
2 Code Civ. Proc. §377.31.
3 Code Civ. Proc. §377.32. This section sets forth the specific elements that must be included in the affidavit or declaration and other required documentation.
4 Code Civ. Proc. §377.31.
6 Code Civ. Proc. §§377.30, 377.31.
7 Code Civ. Proc. §377.32.
8 Code Civ. Proc. §366.1.
If you wish to gain more information please contact me for a free consultation. I will spend time with you to answer your questions. From my office in Southern California, I represent families in all California counties, including Southern California Counties such as Imperial County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. I also represent parties residing outside of California that have probate matters affecting real and/or personal property in California..
To schedule a consultation, call me toll free at 800-575-9610 or locally at 760-989-4820. I enjoy meeting in person whenever possible, but am also available via Skype and email or through my online contact form.
Copyright © 2017, William K. Sweeney, Attorney at Law. All rights reserved.

References: §377
 §377
 §377
 §377
 §377
 §366