Section 6609 Of Chapter 6. Small Estate Set-aside From California Probate Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 6.
6609
. (a) If the court determines that the net value of the
decedent's estate, over and above all liens and encumbrances at the
date of death of the decedent and over and above the value of any
probate homestead interest set apart out of the decedent's estate
under Section 6520, does not exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000)
as of the date of the decedent's death, the court shall make an
order under this section unless the court determines that making an
order under this section would be inequitable under the circumstances
of the particular case.
(b) In determining whether to make an order under this section,
the court shall consider the needs of the surviving spouse and minor
children, the liens and encumbrances on the property of the decedent'
s estate, the claims of creditors, the needs of the heirs or devisees
of the decedent, the intent of the decedent with respect to the
property in the estate and the estate plan of the decedent as
expressed in inter vivos and testamentary transfers or by other
means, and any other relevant considerations. If the surviving spouse
has remarried at the time the petition is heard, it shall be
presumed that the needs of the surviving spouse do not justify the
setting aside of the small estate, or any portion thereof, to the
surviving spouse. This presumption is a presumption affecting the
burden of proof.
(c) Subject to subdivision (d), if the court makes an order under
this section, the court shall assign the whole of the decedent's
estate, subject to all liens and encumbrances on property in the
estate at the date of the decedent's death, to the surviving spouse
and the minor children of the decedent, or any one or more of them.
(d) If there are any liabilities for expenses of the last illness,
funeral charges, or expenses of administration that are unpaid at
the time the court makes an order under this section, the court shall
make such orders as are necessary so that those unpaid liabilities
are paid.
(e) Title to property in the decedent's estate vests absolutely in
the surviving spouse, minor children, or any or all of them, as
provided in the order, subject to all liens and encumbrances on
property in the estate at the date of the decedent's death, and there
shall be no further proceedings in the administration of the
decedent's estate unless additional property in the decedent's estate
is discovered.