ARTICLE 4. Commission and Expenses of Probate Referee [8960. - 8964.]

Cal. Probate Code - PROB 4.

in effect

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8960. Section 8960.

(a) The commission and expenses provided by this article as compensation for the services of the probate referee shall be paid from the estate. (b) The probate referee may not withhold the appraisal until the commission and expenses are paid, but shall deliver the appraisal to the personal representative promptly upon completion. (c) The commission and expenses of the probate referee are an expense of administration, entitled to the priority for payment provided by Section 11420, and shall be paid in the course of administration.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8961. Section 8961.

As compensation for services the probate referee shall receive all of the following: (a) A commission of one-tenth of one percent of the total value of the property for each estate appraised, subject to Section 8963. The commission shall be computed excluding property appraised by the personal representative pursuant to Section 8901 or by an independent expert pursuant to Section 8904. (b) Actual and necessary expenses for each estate appraised. The referee shall file with, or list on, the inventory and appraisal a verified account of the referee’s expenses.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8963. Section 8963.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 8961 and subject to subdivision (b), the commission of the probate referee shall in no event be less than seventy-five dollars ($75) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for any estate appraised. (b) Upon application of the probate referee, the court may allow a commission in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) if the court determines that the reasonable value of the referee’s services exceeds that amount. Notice of the hearing under this subdivision shall be given as provided in Section 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 petition. (3) Each known devisee whose interest in the estate would be affected by the petition. (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 petition. (5) Each person who has requested special notice of petitions filed in the proceeding.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 8964. Section 8964.

If more than one probate referee appraises or participates in the appraisal of property in the estate, each is entitled to the share of the commission agreed upon by the referees or, absent an agreement, that the court allows. In no case shall the total commission for all referees exceed the maximum commission that would be allowable for a single referee.

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