ARTICLE 2. Designation and Removal of Probate Referee [8920. - 8924.]

Cal. Probate Code - PROB 2.

in effect

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8920. Section 8920.

The probate referee, when designated by the court, shall be among the persons appointed by the Controller to act as a probate referee for the county. If there is no person available who is able to act or if, pursuant to authority of Section 8922 or otherwise, the court does not designate a person appointed for the county, the court may designate a probate referee from another county.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8921. Section 8921.

The court may designate a person requested by the personal representative as probate referee, on a showing by the personal representative of good cause for the designation. The following circumstances are included within the meaning of good cause, as used in this section: (a) The probate referee has recently appraised the same property that will be appraised in the administration proceeding. (b) The probate referee will be making related appraisals in another proceeding. (c) The probate referee has recently appraised similar property in another proceeding.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8922. Section 8922.

The court has authority and discretion not to designate a particular person as probate referee even though appointed by the Controller to act as a probate referee for the county.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8923. Section 8923.

The court may not designate as probate referee any of the following persons: (a) The court clerk. (b) A partner or employee of the judge or commissioner who orders the designation. (c) The spouse of the judge or commissioner who orders the designation. (d) A person, or the spouse of a person, who is related within the third degree either (1) to the judge or commissioner who orders the designation or (2) to the spouse of the judge or commissioner who orders the designation.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8924. Section 8924.

(a) The court shall remove the designated probate referee in any of the following circumstances: (1) The personal representative shows cause, including incompetence or undue delay in making the appraisal, that in the opinion of the court warrants removal of the probate referee. The showing shall be made at a hearing on petition of the personal representative. The personal representative shall deliver pursuant to Section 1215 notice of the hearing on the petition to the probate referee at least 15 days before the date set for the hearing. (2) The personal representative has the right to remove the first probate referee who is designated by the court. Cause need not be shown for removal under this paragraph. The personal representative may exercise the right at any time before the personal representative delivers the inventory to the probate referee. The personal representative shall exercise the right by filing an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury with the court and delivering a copy to the probate referee pursuant to Section 1215. Thereupon, the court shall remove the probate referee without any further act or proof. (3) Any other cause provided by statute. (b) Upon removal of the probate referee, the court shall designate another probate referee in the manner prescribed in Section 8920.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026