Section 4986.6 Of Article 1. Generally From California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 1. >> Part 9. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.
4986.6
. (a) When any real property escheats to the state after the
lien date and is not distributed by description, either because it is
unknown, or is included in a general distribution clause without
description, or is property as to which no probate proceedings have
been taken, all taxes levied upon the real property are valid and any
tax sale for those taxes conveys the same title thereto as if no
escheat had occurred, notwithstanding any provision of law to the
contrary. All those taxes levied upon the real property and tax sales
duly taken pursuant to law occurring before the effective date of
this section are hereby validated.
(b) If real property as described in subdivision (a) is discovered
prior to tax sale by delivery to the tax collector of a certified
death certificate, the public administrator of the county where the
decedent resided at the time of death, and in the county in which the
property is situated, if different, shall be notified of the
decedent's property that is subject to loss, injury, waste or
misappropriation under Section 7600 of the Probate Code. The public
administrator of the county where the decedent resided at the time of
death shall take possession or control of the property under Section
7601 of Probate Code and conduct a probate investigation as
authorized under Sections 7602 and 7603 of the Probate Code.
Following the probate investigation, the public administrator shall
do one of the following:
(1) If a person with a higher priority cannot be found to assume
responsibility for the estate, the public administrator of the county
where the decedent resided at the time of death shall immediately
commence probate proceedings with respect to the property, and the
tax sale may not be made. The probate proceedings may be summary
proceedings, as authorized by Section 7660 of the Probate Code, or
formal proceedings as authorized by Letters of Administration from
the Superior Court under Section 7620 of the Probate Code. A tax sale
may not be made until the probate process is completed.
(2) If a person with a higher priority cannot be found to assume
responsibility for the estate, and the value of the estate will not
cover the taxes, the secured liens, and the cost of probate, the
public administrator of the county where the decedent resided at the
time of death, as authorized by Section 7603 of Probate Code, shall
notify the tax collector in writing that the public administrator has
investigated the estate and has determined that the anticipated
equity in the property after settlement of all secured liens and
taxes does not warrant opening estate administration, at which time
the tax sale may proceed.