Section 8540 Of Article 8. Special Administrators From California Probate Code >> Division 7. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 8.

. (a) If the circumstances of the estate require the immediate appointment of a personal representative, the court may appoint a special administrator to exercise any powers that may be appropriate under the circumstances for the preservation of the estate.
  (b) The appointment may be for a specified term, to perform particular acts, or on any other terms specified in the court order.