(1165) Public Administrator Division

The Public Administrator takes control and safeguards all property subject to loss, injury, waste, or misappropriation of San Benito County residents who are deceased without leaving a will or apparent heirs. As the public administrator, we secure the decedent’s property when a relative or other appropriate person is not available to claim it.  We also protect the assets and manage the affairs of the deceased residents of San Benito County, who at the time of death, left no known heirs, no will, no named executor or when there is not a qualified person willing to assume the responsibility. 

The Public Administrator is charged with investigating and administering the estates of persons who die without a will, or without an appropriate person willing or able to act as an administrator. The Public Administrator has the same duties and functions as private administrators which include:

• Protecting the decedent's property from waste, loss, or theft
• Conducting thorough investigations to discover all of the decedent's assets
• Collecting all dues owed to the estate
• Ensuring all estate benefits are applied for and received
• Paying the decedent's bills and taxes
• Ensuring the estate is administered according to the decedent's known wishes
• Locating persons entitled to inherit from the estate and ensuring these individuals receive their inheritance
• Maintaining a fully documented audit trail to make certain that each and every asset is accounted for and distributed appropriately

Strategic Plan Focus Area

• Operational Development & Excellence       
• Health & Safe Communities

• Contracted with a probate attorney for advice on the court process.
• Received two new cases. 

• Office and storage space.

• Safety and security for initial investigations

• Identify dedicated office and storage space.

• Identify and implement security measures.