Section 9764 Of Chapter 5. Operation Of Decedent’s Business From California Probate Code >> Division 7. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 5.
9764
. (a) The personal representative of the estate of a deceased
attorney who was engaged in a practice of law at the time of his or
her death or other person interested in the estate may bring a
petition for appointment of an active member of the State Bar of
California to take control of the files and assets of the practice of
the deceased member.
(b) The petition may be filed and heard on such notice that the
court determines is in the best interests of the estate of the
deceased member. If the petition alleges that the immediate
appointment of a practice administrator is required to safeguard the
interests of the estate, the court may dispense with notice only if
the personal representative is the petitioner or has joined in the
petition or has otherwise waived notice of hearing on the petition.
(c) The petition shall indicate the powers sought for the practice
administrator from the list of powers set forth in Section 6185 of
the Business and Professions Code. These powers shall be specifically
listed in the order appointing the practice administrator.
(d) The petition shall allege the value of the assets that are to
come under the control of the practice administrator, including, but
not limited by the amount of funds in all accounts used by the
deceased member. The court shall require the filing of a surety bond
in the amount of the value of the personal property to be filed with
the court by the practice administrator. No action may be taken by
the practice administrator unless a bond has been fully filed with
the court.
(e) The practice administrator shall not be the attorney
representing the personal representative.
(f) The court shall appoint the attorney nominated by the deceased
member in a writing, including, but not limited to, the deceased
member's will, unless the court concludes that the appointment of the
nominated person would be contrary to the best interests of the
estate or would create a conflict of interest with any of the clients
of the deceased member.
(g) The practice administrator shall be compensated only upon
order of the court making the appointment for his or her reasonable
and necessary services. The law practice shall be the source of the
compensation for the practice administrator unless the assets are
insufficient in which case, the compensation of the practice
administrator shall be charged against the assets of the estate as a
cost of administration. The practice administrator shall also be
entitled to reimbursement of his or her costs.
(h) Upon conclusion of the services of the practice administrator,
the practice administrator shall render an accounting and petition
for its approval by the superior court making the appointment. Upon
settlement of the accounting, the practice administrator shall be
discharged and the surety on his or her bond exonerated.
(i) For the purposes of this section, the person appointed to take
control of the practice of the deceased member shall be referred to
as the "practice administrator" and the decedent shall be referred to
as the "deceased member."