Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8520. Section 8520.
A vacancy occurs in the office of a personal representative who resigns, dies, or is removed from office under Article 6 (commencing with Section 8500), or whose authority is otherwise terminated.
ARTICLE 7. Changes in Administration [8520. - 8525.]
Cal. Probate Code - PROB 7.
in effectCal. Probate Code - PROB § 8521. Section 8521.
(a)
Unless the will provides otherwise or the court in its discretion orders otherwise, if a vacancy occurs in the office of fewer than all personal representatives, the remaining personal representatives shall complete the administration of the estate.
(b)
The court, on the filing of a petition alleging that a vacancy has occurred in the office of fewer than all personal representatives, may order the clerk to issue appropriate amended letters to the remaining personal representatives.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8522. Section 8522.
(a)
If a vacancy occurs in the office of a personal representative and there are no other personal representatives, the court shall appoint a successor personal representative.
(b)
Appointment of a successor personal representative shall be made on petition and notice shall be delivered to interested persons in the manner provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 8110) of Chapter 2, and shall be subject to the same priority as for an original appointment of a personal representative. The personal representative of a deceased personal representative is not, as such, entitled to appointment as successor personal
representative.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8523. Section 8523.
The court may make orders that are necessary to deal with the estate of the decedent between the time a vacancy occurs in the office of personal representative and appointment of a successor. Those orders may include appointment of a special administrator.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8524. Section 8524.
(a)
A successor personal representative is entitled to demand, sue for, recover and collect all the estate of the decedent remaining unadministered, and may prosecute to final judgment any suit commenced by the former personal representative before the vacancy.
(b)
No notice, process, or claim given to or served on the former personal representative need be given to or served on the successor in order to preserve any position or right the person giving the notice or filing the claim may thereby have obtained or preserved with reference to the former personal representative.
(c)
Except as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 8442 (authority of administrator with will annexed) or as otherwise ordered by the court, the successor personal representative has the powers and duties in respect to the continued administration that the former personal representative would have had.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8525. Section 8525.
(a)
The acts of the personal representative before a vacancy occurs are valid to the same extent as if no vacancy had later occurred.
(b)
The liability of a personal representative whose office is vacant, or of the surety on the bond, is not discharged, released, or affected by the vacancy or by appointment of a successor, but continues until settlement of the accounts of the personal representative and delivery of all the estate of the decedent to the successor personal representative or other person appointed by the court to receive it. The personal representative shall render an account of the administration within the time that the court directs.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026