Public Administrator's Duties

The Public Administrator for the County of Los Angeles has a competent staff of deputies to provide administration of the estates of decedents who were residents of Los Angeles County. The powers of the Public Administrator are mandated by the Probate Code of the State of California

The Public Administrator should be notified by anyone (mortuary, convalescent facility, hospital or private citizen) who has knowledge of an estate of a decedent under the following circumstances:
  1. Where there are no known heirs.
  2. When no executor or administrator has been appointed and the estate is being wasted, uncared for or lost.
  3. When the named executor of a Will fails to act, and the court appoints the Public Administrator.
  4. When the Will names the Public Administrator as the estate administrator.
  5. When an heir, or heirs, wish to have the Public Administrator administer the estate for them.


To report such an estate you may call  the Investigation Unit of the Public Administrator's Office at (213) 974-0460 or TTY: (213) 628-4010.  An investigator will be available to provide assistance in determining the need for the Public Administrator to administer the estate.