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Earlier editions: 2020-112018-112026-09

DIVISION 8. DISPOSITION OF ESTATE WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION 13000-13660›PART 1. COLLECTION OR TRANSFER OF SMALL ESTATE WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION 13000-13211›CHAPTER 5. Affidavit Procedure for Real Property of Small Value 13200-13211

§ 13204

California Probate Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California

(a) A transferee is personally liable to the extent provided in this section for the unsecured debts of the decedent. That debt may be enforced against the transferee in the same manner as it could have been enforced against the decedent if the decedent had not died. In any action based upon the debt, the transferee may assert any defense, cross-complaint, or setoff that would have been available to the decedent if the decedent had not died. Nothing in this section permits enforcement of a claim that is barred under Part 4 (commencing with Section 9000) of Division 7. Section 366.2 of the Code of Civil Procedure applies in an action under this section.

(b) The personal liability under subdivision (a) shall not exceed the fair market value of the transferred property at the time of the issuance of the certified copy of the affidavit under Section 13202, less the amount of any liens and encumbrances on the transferred property at that time, and less the amount of any payment made pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13205.

(c) The transferee is not liable under this section if the transferee has satisfied the requirements of Section 13204.5, 13205.5, or 13206.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 29, Sec. 15. (AB 1716) Effective January 1, 2023.)

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