(a) The court may, for good cause, waive appraisal by a probate referee in the manner provided in this section.
(b) The personal representative may apply for a waiver together with the petition for appointment of the personal representative or together with another petition, or may apply for a waiver in a separate petition filed in the administration proceedings, but the application shall not be made later than the time the personal representative delivers the inventory to the probate referee, if a probate referee has been designated. A copy of the proposed inventory and appraisal and a statement that sets forth the good cause that justifies the waiver shall be attached to the petition.
(c) The hearing on the waiver shall be not sooner than 15 days after the petition is filed. Notice of the hearing on the petition, together with a copy of the petition and a copy of the proposed inventory and appraisal, shall be given as provided in Sections 1215 and 1220 to all of the following persons:
(1) Each person listed in Section 1220.
(2) Each known heir whose interest in the estate would be affected by the waiver.
(3) Each known devisee whose interest in the estate would be affected by the waiver.
(4) The Attorney General, at the office of the Attorney General in Sacramento, if any portion of the estate is to escheat to the state and its interest in the estate would be affected by the waiver.
(5) The probate referee, if a probate referee has been designated.
(d) A probate referee to whom notice is given under this section may oppose the waiver. If the opposition fails and the court determines the opposition was made without substantial justification, the court shall award litigation expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, against the probate referee. If the opposition succeeds, the court may designate a different probate referee to appraise property in the estate.
(e) If the petition is granted, the inventory and appraisal attached to the petition shall be filed pursuant to Section 8800.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 319, Sec. 71. (AB 976) Effective January 1, 2018.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018