California Statutes

§ 8400. — 8400. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 862, Sec. 16.)

California § 8400.
JurisdictionCalifornia
Code PROBProbate Code - PROB
Div. 7.DIVISION 7. ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES OF DECEDENTS
Part 2.PART 2. OPENING ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Ch. 4.CHAPTER 4. Appointment of Personal Representative
Art. 1.ARTICLE 1. General Provisions

This text of California § 8400. (8400. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 862, Sec. 16.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cal. Probate Code - PROB Code § 8400. (2026).

Text

(a)A person has no power to administer the estate until the person is appointed personal representative and the appointment becomes effective. Appointment of a personal representative becomes effective when the person appointed is issued letters.
(b)Subdivision (a) applies whether or not the person is named executor in the decedent’s will, except that a person named executor in the decedent’s will may, before the appointment is made or becomes effective, pay funeral expenses and take necessary measures for the maintenance and preservation of the estate.
(c)The order appointing a personal representative shall state in capital letters on the first page of the order, in at least 12-point type, the following: “WARNING: THIS APPOINTMENT IS NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL LETTERS HAVE ISSUED.”

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Hassanati v. International Lease Finance Corp.
51 F. Supp. 3d 887 (C.D. California, 2014)
10 case citations
Poole v. Healthright 360
(N.D. California, 2025)

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 862, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 1997.
View on official source ↗

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
California § 8400., Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/ca/PROB/8400..