California · Probate Code

PROB §8461: Subject to the provisions of this article, a person in the following relation to the decedent is entitled to appointment as administrator in the following order of priority: (a) Surviving spouse or do

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Subject to the provisions of this article, a person in the following relation to the decedent is entitled to appointment as administrator in the following order of priority: (a) Surviving spouse or domestic partner as defined in Section 37. (b) Children. (c) Grandchildren. (d) Other issue. (e) Parents. (f) Brothers and sisters. (g) Issue of brothers and sisters. (h) Grandparents. (i) Issue of grandparents. (j) Children of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner. (k) Other issue of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner. ( l ) Other next of kin. (m) Parents of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner. (n) Issue of parents of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner. (o) 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. (p) Public administrator. (q) Creditors. (r) Any other person.

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