Section 13600 Of Chapter 4. Collection By Affidavit Of Compensation Owed To Deceased Spouse From California Probate Code >> Division 8. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 4.
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. (a) At any time after a husband or wife dies, the surviving
spouse or the guardian or conservator of the estate of the surviving
spouse may, without procuring letters of administration or awaiting
probate of the will, collect salary or other compensation owed by an
employer for personal services of the deceased spouse, including
compensation for unused vacation, not in excess of fifteen thousand
dollars ($15,000) net.
(b) Not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) net in the
aggregate may be collected by or for the surviving spouse under this
chapter from all of the employers of the decedent.
(c) For the purposes of this chapter, a guardian or conservator of
the estate of the surviving spouse may act on behalf of the
surviving spouse without authorization or approval of the court in
which the guardianship or conservatorship proceeding is pending.
(d) The fifteen-thousand-dollar ($15,000) net limitation set forth
in subdivisions (a) and (b) does not apply to the surviving spouse
or the guardian or conservator of the estate of the surviving spouse
of a firefighter or peace officer described in subdivision (a) of
Section 22820 of the Government Code.
(e) On January 1, 2003, and on January 1 of each year thereafter,
the maximum net amount of salary or compensation payable under
subdivisions (a) and (b) to the surviving spouse or the guardian or
conservator of the estate of the surviving spouse may be adjusted to
reflect any increase in the cost of living occurring after January 1
of the immediately preceding year. The United States city average of
the "Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers," as published by
the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, shall be used as the
basis for determining the changes in the cost of living. The
cost-of-living increase shall equal or exceed 1 percent before any
adjustment is made. The net amount payable may not be decreased as a
result of the cost-of-living adjustment.