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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F3
Findings 7 findings
F1
A valid will may expedite the closing of an estate and assure that a decedent’s wishes are fulfilled.
F2
Given the limited staffing of the office of the Public Administrator and the complexities of administering some estates, the Public Administrator may take a long time to complete the administration of an estate.
F4
Page 3
There is one full time Legal Office Assistant who works for the Public Administrator.
F5
Page 3
Of the closed cases, an average case took 4.2 years to process and close based on information provided by staff.
F6
Page 3
Of the 39 open cases as of December 31, 2010, the average cases have been open for 8.5 years and the oldest case is 24 years old, based on information provided by staff.
F7
Page 3
If a decedent does not have a will the estate passes to the decedent’s heirs as prescribed by Sections 6400-6414 of the California Probate Code.
F8
Page 3
If a decedent has no heirs and no will, Section 6800 (a) of the California Probate Code provides that the estate escheats (reverts) to the State of California effective on the date of death. Findings 1. A valid will may expedite the closing of an estate and assure that a decedent’s wishes are fulfilled.
Recommendations 1
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R1The Jury encourages county residents to understand the consequences of not having a valid will. Responses None required.