State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > California > Prob > 8500-8505PROBATE CODE
SECTION 8500-8505
8500. (a) Any interested person may petition for removal of the personal representative from office. A petition for removal may be combined with a petition for appointment of a successor personal representative under Article 7 (commencing with Section 8520). The petition shall state facts showing cause for removal. (b) On a petition for removal, or if the court otherwise has reason to believe from the court's own knowledge or from other credible information, whether on the settlement of an account or otherwise, that there are grounds for removal, the court shall issue a citation to the personal representative to appear and show cause why the personal representative should not be removed. The court may suspend the powers of the personal representative and may make such orders as are necessary to deal with the property pending the hearing. (c) Any interested person may appear at the hearing and file a written declaration showing that the personal representative should be removed or retained. The personal representative may demur to or answer the declaration. The court may compel the attendance of the personal representative and may compel the personal representative to answer questions, on oath, concerning the administration of the estate. Failure to attend or answer is cause for removal of the personal representative from office. (d) The issues shall be heard and determined by the court. If the court is satisfied from the evidence that the citation has been duly served and cause for removal exists, the court shall remove the personal representative from office. 8501. On removal of a personal representative from office, the court shall revoke any letters issued to the personal representative, and the authority of the personal representative ceases. 8502. A personal representative may be removed from office for any of the following causes: (a) The personal representative has wasted, embezzled, mismanaged, or committed a fraud on the estate, or is about to do so. (b) The personal representative is incapable of properly executing the duties of the office or is otherwise not qualified for appointment as personal representative. (c) The personal representative has wrongfully neglected the estate, or has long neglected to perform any act as personal representative. (d) Removal is otherwise necessary for protection of the estate or interested persons. (e) Any other cause provided by statute. 8503. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), an administrator may be removed from office on the petition of the surviving spouse or a relative of the decedent entitled to succeed to all or part of the estate, or the nominee of the surviving spouse or relative, if such person is higher in priority than the administrator. (b) The court in its discretion may refuse to grant the petition: (1) Where the petition is by a person or the nominee of a person who had actual notice of the proceeding in which the administrator was appointed and an opportunity to contest the appointment. (2) Where to do so would be contrary to the sound administration of the estate. 8504. (a) After appointment of an administrator on the ground of intestacy, the personal representative shall be removed from office on the later admission to probate of a will. (b) After appointment of an executor or administrator with the will annexed, the personal representative shall be removed from office on admission to probate of a later will. 8505. (a) A personal representative may be removed from office if the personal representative is found in contempt for disobeying an order of the court. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a personal representative may be removed from office under this section by a court order reciting the facts and without further showing or notice.
