CHAPTER 5. Contest [5690. - 5698.]

Cal. Probate Code - PROB 5.

in effect

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 5690. Section 5690.

(a) (1) An action for the disqualification of a beneficiary under Part 3.7 (commencing with Section 21360) of Division 11 may be brought to contest the validity of a transfer of property by a revocable transfer on death deed. (2) An action to contest the validity of a transfer of property by a revocable transfer on death deed may be filed by the transferor’s personal representative or an interested person under Part 19 (commencing with Section 850) of Division 2. (3) An action to contest the validity of a revocation of a revocable transfer on death deed may be filed by the transferor’s personal representative or a beneficiary of the revoked deed under Part 19 (commencing with Section 850) of Division 2. If the contest is successful, the court shall determine the appropriate remedy, which may include revival of the revoked deed. In deciding the remedy, the court shall attempt to effectuate the intentions of the transferor. (b) The proper county for a contest proceeding is the proper county for proceedings concerning administration of the transferor’s estate, whether or not proceedings concerning administration of the transferor’s estate have been commenced at the time of the contest. (c) On commencement of a contest proceeding, the contestant may record a lis pendens in the county in which the revocable transfer on death deed is recorded. (d) In a contest proceeding, each subscribing witness of the revocable transfer on death deed shall be produced and examined. If no subscribing witness is available as a witness within the meaning of Section 240 of the Evidence Code, the court may admit the evidence of other witnesses to prove the due execution of the deed.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 5692. Section 5692.

(a) A contest proceeding pursuant to Section 5690 shall not be commenced before the transferor’s death. (b) For the purposes of the applicable limitations period, a contest proceeding accrues on the date of the transferor’s death.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 5694. Section 5694.

If the court in a contest proceeding determines that a transfer of property by a revocable transfer on death deed is invalid, the court shall order the following relief: (a) If the proceeding was commenced and a lis pendens was recorded no later than 120 days after the affidavit required by subdivision (c) of Section 5682 was recorded, the court shall void the deed and order transfer of the property to the person entitled to it. (b) If the proceeding was not commenced and a lis pendens was not recorded within 120 days after the affidavit required by subdivision (c) of Section 5682 was recorded, the court shall grant appropriate relief but the court order shall not affect the rights in the property of a purchaser or encumbrancer for value and in good faith acquired before commencement of the proceeding and recordation of a lis pendens.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 5696. Section 5696.

(a) Nothing in this chapter limits the application of principles of fraud, undue influence, duress, mistake, or other invalidating cause to a transfer of property by a revocable transfer on death deed. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 5692, the conservator or guardian of a transferor may, before the transferor’s death, petition the court for invalidation of a revocable transfer on death deed executed by the transferor.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 5698. Section 5698.

Nothing in this chapter limits the application of other law that imposes a penalty or provides a remedy for the creation of a revocable transfer on death deed by means of fraud, undue influence, menace, or duress, including, but not limited to, Section 368 of the Penal Code and Sections 15656 and 15657.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

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