No Next Of Kin Or Estranged Family
What if the family is fighting over who is in charge?
Short answer
Legal authority is determined by the will (executor named), or by California's priority order for administrator appointment (surviving spouse, then adult children, then parents, etc.). The court appoints only one administrator. If multiple people petition, the court decides based on priority and…
What this usually means
Legal authority is determined by the will (executor named), or by California's priority order for administrator appointment (surviving spouse, then adult children, then parents, etc.). The court appoints only one administrator. If multiple people petition, the court decides based on priority and fitness. Get a probate attorney if there is a dispute.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.