Santa Barbara: What categories of estates are handled by the Public Administrator?

Source: https://www.countyofsb.org/tt-public-administrator?contentId=e85c0efe-8a1c-4670-812d-f3f2ce4d7bb5

Browser-rendered transcription; source.html is the HTTP shell.

Indigent Estates

These are estates without enough funds for the decedent's burial or cremation, and no heirs to arrange or pay. When the assets of an estate are not sufficient to pay for disposition, by law the relatives must take personal and financial responsibility. If there are no relatives or other persons to act, the county assumes that responsibility.

Summary Estates Estates not exceeding $50,000 in value. The Public Administrator may act without court authorization to marshal and distribute these estate assets pursuant to the California Probate Code.

Estates valued at $50,000.01 to $166,250. The Public Administrator may act after authority to summarily dispose of a small estate is approved by the court, pursuant to the California Probate Code.

Probated Estates

These estates have assets worth more than $166,250.01. The Public Administrator handles these full probate estates under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. After filing a petition, the Public Administrator is appointed. All actions are subject to court oversight and/or approval, including proving a will, sale of real property, paying taxes and distribution of assets. An accounting is submitted to court before the Public Administrator is discharged.