Source: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=66264
Timestamp: 2017-09-20 21:56:48
Document Index: 223312074

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 7600', '§ 7620', '§ 7660', '§ 7660', '§ 7660', '§ 7622', '§ 7661', '§ 7663', '§ 58', '§ 9650', '§ 10800', '§ 10810', '§ 7662', '§ 7662', '§ 27643', '§ 10000', '§ 10006']

County of Fresno - Public Administrator - FAQs
The Public Administrator serves in a fiduciary capacity to provide professional estate management services to county residents who die without someone willing or able to handle their affairs. The powers of the Public Administrator are mandated by the Probate Code of the State of California. (Cal Prob Code § 7600 et. seq.)
The Public Administrator may be appointed under the following circumstances (Cal Prob Code § 7620):
California law allows a Public Administrator to act as administrator of estates where the total value of the estate does not exceed $150,000. This Summary proceeding may be utilized exclusively by the Public Administrator. The minimum fee is $1,000.00. This proceeding is considerably more economical and efficient than a Formal Probate. (Cal Prob Code § 7660(a))
A. Summary Estates
Estates not exceeding $50,000.00 in value. The Public Administrator may act without court authorization to marshal and distribute the assets of these estates pursuant to the Probate Code. (Cal Prob Code § 7660 (a)(2))
Estates valued at $50,000.01 to $150,000.00. The Public Administrator may act after an ex parte application seeking authority to summarily dispose of a small estate is approved by the court. (Cal Prob Code § 7660 (a)(1))
B. Probated Estates
These are estates over $150,000.00 in value. An estate of this size is handled by the Public Administrator under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, subject to general rules of estate administrator. The proceeding commences from the first filing of a petition and appointment of the Public Administrator. At the end of administration accounting is completed and submitted to the court to show what was done before the Public Administrator is discharged. (Cal Prob Code § 7622)
The overall objective of the administration of an estate is to (1) collect a decedent's assets (including partially owned assets), (2) determine and pay the debts, expenses, and taxes, and (3) distribute the balance of the assets to the persons (sometimes trusts) entitled to them. (Cal Prob Code § 7661 to § 7663)
The length of time for case investigation, administration of estate (sale of personal and real property), determination of heirship, final accounting and distribution of assets is from 12 months (an all cash estate) to 18-24 months for the average case (some cash, bank accounts and stock, real property). Since Court approval is mandatory for particular actions, some time periods are simply "wait time" to be heard in court. We, as any private person, must request and then be assigned a calendar date.
When probate is required (usually due to over $150,000 assets in the decedent's name only), a representative must be appointed in court. The representative is called an "executor" when there is a will and the person named is appointed or an "administrator for all other persons. Other States use the generic term "legal representative." This representative may be an individual(s) or a bank having trust powers, or a combination of both. When there is no will, the Court may appoint the closest relative(s) of the decedent who is willing and able to act or an individual or office nominated by the closest relative. Any interested party can request Public Administrator to administer the estate. (Cal Prob Code § 58)
It is the Representative's duty to collect and manage assets, keep records, pay debts and expenses, compute and pay income, death, and other taxes, and distributes the estate assets to the persons (sometimes trusts) entitled to them, all under supervision of the Court. Duties are performed with the ready assistance and advice of professionals (attorney, accountant, investment counsel, real estate consultant, etc.). The representative acts in the decedent's stead to collect, manage, and then distribute his/her estate according to the will or intestacy laws. (Cal Prob Code § 9650)
The fee schedule is set by statute (Cal Prob Code § 10800):
Next $ 800,000 3% Administration
Next $9,000,000 1% Administration
The law also provides for statutory attorney's fees based on the same fee schedule as that of the administrator. (Cal Prob Code § 10810)
Tax work, litigation, matters outside normal services such as preliminary distributions, complex accounting or investigation. (Cal Prob Code § 7662)
Fees such as insuring real property, paying utilities and homeowner association fees, towing services, fees for formal appraisals, stockbrokers, heirship firms, labor and hauling fees, storage fees, creditor's, etc. (Cal Prob Code § 7662)
Attorney fees are based on a statutory schedule as discussed or a reasonable standard (time spent, risks and responsibilities, results achieved). (Cal Gov Code § 27643)
The beneficiary is kept advised via legal notices of the location, date and purpose of hearings. You may receive notices regarding sale of real property, heirship petitions and other pertinent legal matters. It is generally not necessary to attend these hearings.
At final accounting, each beneficiary who will receive property from the estate will receive a copy of the accounting (the same filed with the court) which lists all income received and disbursements made during administration of the estate. It is mandatory for any individual or organization who is a beneficiary to provide their Social Security number or tax ID number prior to distribution.
How much control does a beneficiary or family member have over the Public Administrator's estate administration?
When the Public Administrator has been nominated by a decedent's family, our goal is to work in the best interest of the estate. As mentioned above, our overall objective is to 1) collect a decedent's assets (including partially owned assets), (2) determine and pay the debts, expenses, and taxes, and (3) distribute the balance of the assets to the persons (sometimes trusts) entitled to them. With this in mind, the Public Administrator does not take direction from beneficiaries regarding how to liquidate assets, which vendors to use, or which legal direction to take. We work in a manner that is most expedient to bring an estate to closure. This means we cannot accommodate requests or the preferences of multiple parties. However, beneficiaries may keep in close contact with the Deputy Public Administrator case manager regarding the status of the administration, final accounting and distribution.
It is difficult to give a specific answer as to exactly when distribution will take place since so many factors are out of the control of the Public Administrator. The length of time for case investigation, administration of estate (sale of personal and real property), determination of heirship, final accounting and distribution of assets is from 12 months (an all cash estate) to 18-24 months for the average case (some cash, bank accounts and stock, real property). Since Court approval is mandatory for particular actions, some time periods are simply "wait time" to be heard in court. We, as any private person, must request and then be assigned a calendar date. We have finished our work when there are no longer any assets in the name of the decedent or the estate and any court administered estate has been closed. For your own peace of mind, do not plan your financial affairs upon the expectation that you will be receiving a certain amount on a certain date.
Can I put a claim for my expenses?
When the Public Administrator has been nominated by a decedent's family, our goal is to work in the best interest of the estate. With this in mind, it is our first obligation to devote our efforts to the actual administration of the estate but will attempt to accommodate specific requests for information from beneficiaries within reason.
All sales are governed by the California Probate Code. All probate assets are appraised by a Court-appointed appraiser. The law imposes certain restrictions on the sale of assets for less than their appraised value. All personal property is sold at auction by open bid to the highest bidder. Securities are sold without notice. All real property is sold only after notice of sale. (Cal Prob Code § 10000 to § 10006)
The Public Administrator will issue a K-1 tax statement to all beneficiaries who receive a distribution from an estate after the Public Administrator files a final estate return. It is suggested you consult your tax professional if you have specific questions regarding your tax liability
What are the Stages of Administration?
Deputy Public Administrator investigates to determine the type and size of the estate and will protect assets from waste, loss or misappropriation, if necessary. She will contact and locate family to determine if they wish to act as administrator of the estate. If the family declines to act as administrator of the decedent's estate, she will obtain letters of declination from them as well as nomination letters, nominating the Public Administrator to act. With the assistance of County Counsel, the Public Administrator will then prepare the Petition for appointment and the Superior Court of California will set the matter for hearing.
If you are an heir of the estate, you will receive a copy of the Final Accounting and Notice of Hearing setting a final hearing date. At that hearing and after Court approval of the accounting, an Order is issued permitting payment of claims, awarding the Public Administrator her fees, and distributing the remainder to the entitled beneficiaries of the estate. The Court files the order and returns a copy to the Administrator. The Public Administrator attempts to make distribution is made within two weeks of receipt of this Order.
Where can I find more information about the California Probate Code?
The following link provides more information regarding the California Probate Code: