The office of the Public Administrator investigates, protects, and administers estates of Placer County decedents who have no known relatives who are willing and able to administer their estate. The process may include securing and protecting valuables against loss (including those held by financial institutions), seeing to the final disposition of the decedent’s remains, locating possible next of kin to perform as administrators of the estate, or, if none are found, County administration of the decedent’s estate.

Duties
The duties of the Public Administrator include:

• Protect decedents' estates against waste, loss, or misappropriation
• Conduct an on-site investigation to locate information leading to the identity of next of kin (blood relatives or adopted children), wills, pre-planned funeral arrangements, estate assets and debts
• Reach out to known next of kin to determine their willingness and ability to administer the estate

When needed:

• Make arrangements for the decedent's final disposition
• Petition the court to be appointed administrator of the estate
• Locate persons entitled to inherit from the estate
• Manage, store, and/or sell real and personal property on behalf of the estate
• Pay outstanding bills and taxes owed by the decedent
• Ensure that identified heirs receive their rightful inheritance

For questions regarding the Public Administrator's office, please call 530-886-2900.