California-Specific Agencies and Programs
What is the California Public Administrator?
Short answer
A county official who manages the estates of people who die with no known family or no one willing to serve as administrator. If you are a distant relative or friend and the estate is being handled by the public administrator, contact…
What this usually means
A county official who manages the estates of people who die with no known family or no one willing to serve as administrator. If you are a distant relative or friend and the estate is being handled by the public administrator, contact them — you may have a claim or information they need. Each county has one.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.