Public Administrator
Victor Moreno, Captain
Address
175 South Lena Road
San Bernardino, California 92415
Phone:
(909) 387-2481
(909) 387-2978
Fax:(909) 387-2335
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The primary function of the Public Administrator is to administer decedents' estates, including: collecting and safeguarding assets, paying debts and if assets remain after paying debts and expenses, to distribute to those legally entitled. The Public Administrator is charged by the probate code to promptly:
- Petition for appointment as personal representative of the estate if no person having higher priority has petitioned for appointment.
- Petition for appointment as personal representative of any estate the public administrator determines is proper.
- Accept appointment as personal representative of an estate when so ordered by the court or as provided in Probate Code section 7621.
- Proceed with summary disposition of an estate as authorized by Article 4 (commencing with Section 7660), and in Section 13100 if the total value of the estate does not exceed $184,500 (as of 04/01/2022).
Further, if no personal representative has been appointed, the Public Administrator shall take prompt possession or control of property of a decedent if it is deemed by the Public Administrator to be subject to loss, injury, waste, or misappropriation, or that the court orders.
The Public Administrator will make a prompt search for other property, a will and instructions for disposition of the decedent's remains. If a Will or instructions for disposition is found, the Public Administrator shall deliver the will to the court as provided in Section 8200 and Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code respectively. If there is a custodian of the will, the Public Administrator shall direct the custodian to file as appropriate. If another property is located, the Public Administrator shall take possession or control of that property so that it will not be damaged or lost.
When to make a referral to the Public Administrator
If you are aware of an estate of a decedent that is in danger of loss or waste because no one is or appears to be acting to administer the estate, a referral to the Public Administrator is appropriate. While cases are referred to the Public Administrator primarily by the coroner we also receive referrals from public service agencies, friends, neighbors, creditors, hospitals, nursing homes, funeral directors and others. Anyone who knows of a decedent of San Bernardino County whose estate is at risk of loss, injury, waste or misappropriation can and should make a referral to the Public Administrator.
The form for making such a referral is provided here. It is in portable document format (.pdf). The form can filled out and printed or printed out and completed by hand and then mailed or delivered to the Public Administrator at 175 South Lena Road, San Bernardino CA, 92415-0335. You may also email the completed form to publicadministrator@sbcsd.org. If you have any questions about making a referral or how to complete the form, please write care of the above address, email to the Public Administrator as listed above, or call us at (909) 387-2579 or (909) 387-2978.
For your information, the Public Administrator may be appointed under the following circumstances:
When no executor or administrator has been appointed and, in consequence thereof, the property, or any part thereof, is being wasted, uncared for or lost.
When ordered to be appointed by the court.
When an heir nominates the Public Administrator, or the will names the Public Administrator as executor.
When there are no known heirs of the estate.
For an heir who resides outside of the State of California and requests the Public Administrator.
When the named executor fails to act on a formal probate and no other person has a preferred right.
At the time of the original investigation, the Deputy Public Administrator looks for all leads which may indicate assets of the decedent. These leads are followed up in due course during the administration of the estate. Unless someone has deliberately hidden assets, all assets are usually located before the close of the administration.
The Public Administrator will make a prompt search for other property, a will and instructions for disposition of the decedent's remains. If a will or instructions for disposition is found, the Public Administrator shall deliver the will to the court as provided in section 8200 and section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code respectively. If there is a custodian of the Will, the Public Administrator shall direct the custodian to file as appropriate. If another property is located, the Public Administrator shall take possession or control of that property so that it will not be damaged or lost.
FAQs
Answer: No, in fact the Public Administrator is near the bottom of the list of appointees under California law. According to State law, the following is the priority of appointment:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner as defined in Section 37
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Other issue
- Parents
- Brothers and sisters
- Issue of brothers and sisters
- Grandparents
- Issue of grandparents
- Children of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
- Other issue of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
- Other next of kin
- Parents of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
- Issue of parents of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
- Conservator or guardian of the estate acting in that capacity at the time of death who has filed a first account and is not acting as conservator or guardian for any other person
- Public administrator
- Creditors
- Any other person
The Public Administrator makes every attempt to find all potential heirs and give them the opportunity to administer the estate.
When the Public Administrator decides to initiate probate proceedings on an estate, a petition for appointment is filed with the Court. Notice is given to all interested parties, including relatives, heirs, creditors and those who have formally requested a special notice of the proceedings.
- When no executor or administrator has been appointed and, in consequence thereof, the property, or any part thereof, is being wasted, uncared for or lost,
- When ordered to be appointed by the Court,
- When an heir nominates the Public Administrator, or the Will names the Public Administrator as Executor,
- When there are no known heirs of the estate,
- For an heir who resides outside of the State of California and requests the Public Administrator,
- When the named Executor fails to act on a Formal Probate and no other person has a preferred right.
Answer: The California Probate Code provides for statutory fees for all executors, administrators and their attorneys. The fees are calculated based on the value of the estate as follows:
- 4% of the first $100,000
- 3% of the next $100,000
- 2% of the next $800,000
- 1% of all above $9,000,000
In addition to the above noted statutory fees, the Court may award extraordinary fees for extra work such as selling real or personal property, petitioning for determination of heirship, litigation to collect assets, and defending actions against the estate and other similar matters. All fees must be approved by the Probate Court, usually at the time of the final accounting.
Answer: Federal estate tax is a tax on the estate. It applies only when the gross estate exceeds the amount listed below for the year of death:
- $12,060,000 in 2022
- $11,700,000 in 2021
- $11,580,000 in 2020
For deaths occurring after June 8, 1982, there is no longer any California Inheritance Tax.
If you have any other questions, please call (909) 387-2579 or (909) 387-2978.