Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 260. Section 260.
Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this part.
CHAPTER 1. Definitions [260. - 267.]
Cal. Probate Code - PROB 1.
in effectCal. Probate Code - PROB § 262. Section 262.
“Beneficiary” means the person entitled, but for the person’s disclaimer, to take an interest.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 263. Section 263.
(a)
“Creator of the interest” means a person who establishes, declares, creates, or otherwise brings into existence an interest.
(b)
“Creator of the interest” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1)
With respect to an interest created by intestate succession, the person dying intestate.
(2)
With respect to an interest created under a will, the testator.
(3)
With
respect to an interest created under a trust, the settlor.
(4)
With respect to an interest created by succession to a disclaimed interest, the disclaimant of the disclaimed interest.
(5)
With respect to an interest created by virtue of an election to take against a will, the testator.
(6)
With respect to an interest created by creation of a power of appointment, the donor.
(7)
With respect to an interest created by exercise or nonexercise of a power of appointment, the donee.
(8)
With respect to an interest created by an inter vivos gift, the donor.
(9)
With respect to an interest created by surviving the death of a depositor
of a Totten trust account or P.O.D. account, the deceased depositor.
(10)
With respect to an interest created under an insurance or annuity contract, the owner, the insured, or the annuitant.
(11)
With respect to an interest created by surviving the death of another joint tenant, the deceased joint tenant.
(12)
With respect to an interest created under an employee benefit plan, the employee or other owner of an interest in the plan.
(13)
With respect to an interest created under an individual retirement account, annuity, or bond, the owner.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 264. Section 264.
“Disclaimant” means a beneficiary who executes a disclaimer on his or her own behalf or a person who executes a disclaimer on behalf of a beneficiary.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 265. Section 265.
“Disclaimer” means any writing which declines, refuses, renounces, or disclaims any interest that would otherwise be taken by a beneficiary.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 266. Section 266.
“Employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, any pension, retirement, death benefit, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plan, system, or trust.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 267. Section 267.
(a)
“Interest” includes the whole of any property, real or personal, legal or equitable, or any fractional part, share, or particular portion or specific assets thereof, or any estate in any such property, or any power to appoint, consume, apply, or expend property, or any other right, power, privilege, or immunity relating to property.
(b)
“Interest” includes, but is not limited to, an interest created in any of the following manners:
(1)
By intestate succession.
(2)
Under a will.
(3)
Under a trust.
(4)
By succession to a disclaimed interest.
(5)
By virtue of an election to take against a will.
(6)
By creation of a power of appointment.
(7)
By exercise or nonexercise of a power of appointment.
(8)
By an inter vivos gift, whether outright or in trust.
(9)
By surviving the death of a depositor of a Totten trust account or P.O.D. account.
(10)
Under an insurance or annuity contract.
(11)
By
surviving the death of another joint tenant.
(12)
Under an employee benefit plan.
(13)
Under an individual retirement account, annuity, or bond.
(14)
Under a transfer on death beneficiary designation in a deed or other instrument.
(15)
Any other interest created by a testamentary or inter vivos instrument or by operation of law.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026