Section 9053 Of Chapter 2. Notice To Creditors From California Probate Code >> Division 7. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 2.
9053
. (a) If the personal representative believes that notice to a
particular creditor is or may be required by this chapter and gives
notice based on that belief, the personal representative is not
liable to any person for giving the notice, whether or not required
by this chapter.
(b) If the personal representative fails to give notice required
by this chapter, the personal representative is not liable to any
person for the failure, unless a creditor establishes all of the
following:
(1) The failure was in bad faith.
(2) The creditor had no actual knowledge of the administration of
the estate before expiration of the time for filing a claim, and
payment would have been made on the creditor's claim in the course of
administration if the claim had been properly filed.
(3) Within 16 months after letters were first issued to a general
personal representative, the creditor did both of the following:
(A) Filed a petition requesting that the court in which the estate
was administered make an order determining the liability of the
personal representative under this subdivision.
(B) At least 30 days before the hearing on the petition, caused
notice of the hearing and a copy of the petition to be served on the
personal representative in the manner provided in Chapter 4
(commencing with Section 413.10) of Title 5 of Part 2 of the Code of
Civil Procedure.
(c) Nothing in this section affects the liability of the estate,
if any, for the claim of a creditor, and the personal representative
is not liable for the claim to the extent it is paid out of the
estate or could be paid out of the estate pursuant to Section 9103.
(d) A personal representative has a duty to make reasonably
diligent efforts to identify reasonably ascertainable creditors of
the decedent.