Section 6611 Of Chapter 6. Small Estate Set-aside From California Probate Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 6.
6611
. (a) Subject to the limitations and conditions specified in
this section, the person or persons in whom title vested pursuant to
Section 6609 are personally liable for the unsecured debts of the
decedent.
(b) The personal liability of a person under this section does not
exceed the fair market value at the date of the decedent's death of
the property title to which vested in that person pursuant to Section
6609, less the total of all of the following:
(1) The amount of any liens and encumbrances on that property.
(2) The value of any probate homestead interest set apart under
Section 6520 out of that property.
(3) The value of any other property set aside under Section 6510
out of that property.
(c) In any action or proceeding based upon an unsecured debt of
the decedent, the surviving spouse of the decedent, the child or
children of the decedent, or the guardian of the minor child or
children of the decedent, may assert any defense, cross-complaint, or
setoff which would have been available to the decedent if the
decedent had not died.
(d) If proceedings are commenced in this state for the
administration of the estate of the decedent and the time for filing
claims has commenced, any action upon the personal liability of a
person under this section is barred to the same extent as provided
for claims under Part 4 (commencing with Section 9000) of Division 7,
except as to the following:
(1) Creditors who commence judicial proceedings for the
enforcement of the debt and serve the person liable under this
section with the complaint therein prior to the expiration of the
time for filing claims.
(2) Creditors who have or who secure an acknowledgment in writing
of the person liable under this section that that person is liable
for the debts.
(3) Creditors who file a timely claim in the proceedings for the
administration of the estate of the decedent.
(e) Section 366.2 of the Code of Civil Procedure applies in an
action under this section.