Public Administrator

The Public Administrator is responsible for administering the estate of a Siskiyou County resident who passes away without a Will or family in California.  Estate administration may include marshaling all assets, selling real or personal property, performing heir searches, and overseeing the distribution of the estate.  The activities are supervised by the Superior Court.

California Probate Code §7600 et. seq. describes the powers and responsibilities of the Siskiyou County Public Administrator.

There are a variety of ways that the Public Administrator is notified of estates that require administration.  The Coroner's Office, Public Guardian's Office, other public employees, hospitals, and concerned citizens notify the Public Administrator when there has been a death and there is no known next of kin.  When the Public Administrator becomes aware of an estate that needs administration, he/she has the responsibility of attempting to locate a Will, the next of kin, and protect all assets of an estate.