Section 10151 Of Article 2. Contract With Agent, Broker, Or Auctioneer From California Probate Code >> Division 7. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 18. >> Article 2.
10151
. (a) The personal representative may enter into a written
contract with any of the following:
(1) Where the public auction sale will be held in this state, an
auctioneer who is qualified to conduct business under Title 2.95
(commencing with Section 1812.600) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the
Civil Code.
(2) Where the public auction sale will be held outside this state
pursuant to an order made under Section 10254, an auctioneer who is
legally permitted in the jurisdiction where the sale will be held to
conduct a public auction sale and to secure purchasers by that method
for the personal property authorized to be sold by public auction
sale in that jurisdiction under the court order.
(b) The contract shall be one that is legally enforceable under
the law of the jurisdiction where made.
(c) The contract may provide for payment to the auctioneer of a
fee, commission, or other compensation out of the proceeds of sale
and for reimbursement of expenses, but the contract is binding and
valid as against the estate only for such amounts as the court allows
pursuant to Section 10167. No liability of any kind is incurred by
the estate under the contract or a sale unless the sale is approved
by the court, except for the obligations of the estate to the
purchaser of personal property as to which title passes pursuant to
Section 10259 without court confirmation or approval. The personal
representative is not personally liable on the contract by reason of
execution of the contract.
(d) The contract may provide that personal property of two or more
estates being administered by the same personal representative may
be sold at the same public auction sale. Items of personal property
may be sold separately or in a lot with other items from the same
estate. A sale pursuant to the contract shall be with reserve. The
auctioneer shall comply with the instructions of the personal
representative with respect to withdrawal of items, risk of loss,
place of delivery, warranties, and other matters.