CHAPTER 15. Leases [9940. - 9948.]

Cal. Probate Code - PROB 15.

in effect

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9940. Section 9940.

For the purpose of this chapter: (a) “Lease” includes, without limitation, a lease that includes an option to purchase real propery of the estate. (b) If a lease gives the lessee the right to extend the term of the lease, the length of the term shall be considered as though the right to extend had been exercised.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9941. Section 9941.

If it is to the advantage of the estate, the personal representative may lease, as lessor, real property of the estate without authorization of the court in either of the following cases: (a) Where the rental does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) a month and the term does not exceed one year. (b) Where the lease is from month to month, regardless of the amount of the rental.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9942. Section 9942.

(a) The personal representative may lease, as lessor, real property of the estate after authorization by order of court obtained under this chapter upon a showing that the proposed lease is to the advantage of the estate. (b) If the proposed lease includes an option to purchase real property of the estate, a petition for an order authorizing the lease shall be filed under this chapter but the applicable provisions for court approval both in this chapter and in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 9960) apply to the execution of the lease.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9943. Section 9943.

(a) To obtain an order under this chapter, the personal representative or any interested person shall file a petition containing all of the following: (1) A general description of the real property proposed to be leased. (2) The term, rental, and general conditions of the proposed lease. (3) A showing that the proposed lease is to the advantage of the estate. (b) If the lease is proposed to be for a term longer than 10 years, the petition shall also state facts showing the need for the longer lease and its advantage to the estate and its benefit to the interested persons.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9944. Section 9944.

(a) Notice of the hearing on the petition shall be given as provided in Section 1220 and posted as provided in Section 1230. (b) Notice of the hearing on the petition also shall be given as provided in Section 10300, but this notice is not required if the will authorizes or directs the personal representative to lease or sell property. (c) If the lease is proposed to be for a term longer than 10 years, in addition to the notice required by subdivision (a), notice of the hearing shall be given as provided in Section 1220 to all of the following persons: (1) Each known heir whose interest in the estate would be affected by the proposed lease. (2) Each known devisee whose interest in the estate would be affected by the proposed lease.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9945. Section 9945.

(a) At the hearing, the court shall entertain and consider any other offer made in good faith at the hearing to lease the same property on more favorable terms. (b) If the court is satisfied that it will be to the advantage of the estate, and, if the lease is for more than 10 years, that it is to the benefit of interested persons, the court shall make an order authorizing the personal representative to make the lease to the person on the terms and conditions stated in the order. The court shall not make an order authorizing the personal representative to make the lease to any person other than the lessee named in the petition unless the offer made at the hearing is acceptable to the personal representative.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9946. Section 9946.

(a) Subject to Section 9947, an order authorizing the execution of a lease shall set forth the minimum rental or royalty or both and the period of the lease. (b) The order may authorize other terms and conditions of the lease, including, with respect to a lease for the purpose of exploration for or production or removal of minerals, oil, gas, or other hydrocarbon substances, or geothermal energy, any one or more of the following provisions: (1) A provision for the payment of rental and royalty to a depositary. (2) A provision for the appointment of a common agent to represent the interests of all the lessors. (3) A provision for the payment of a compensatory royalty in lieu of rental and in lieu of drilling and producing operations on the land covered by the lease. (4) A provision empowering the lessee to enter into any agreement authorized by Section 3301 of the Public Resources Code with respect to the land covered by the lease. (5) A provision for a community oil lease or a pooling or unitization by the lessee. (c) If the lease covers additional property owned by other persons or an undivided or other interest of the decedent less than the entire ownership in the property, the order may authorize the lease to provide for division of rental and royalty in the proportion that the land or interest of each owner bears to the total area of the land or total interests covered by the lease.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9947. Section 9947.

(a) Except as provided in this section, the term of the lease shall be for such period as the court may authorize. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the court shall not authorize a lease for longer than 10 years if any heir or devisee who has an interest in the property to be leased objects at the hearing. (c) If the lease is for the purpose of exploration for or production or removal of minerals, oil, gas, or other hydrocarbon substances, or geothermal energy, the court may authorize that the lease be for a fixed period and any of the following: (1) So long thereafter as minerals, oil, gas, or other hydrocarbon substances or geothermal energy are produced in paying quantities from the property leased or mining or drilling operations are conducted thereon. (2) If the lease provides for the payment of a compensatory royalty, so long thereafter as such compensatory royalty is paid. (3) If the land covered by the lease is included in an agreement authorized by Section 3301 of the Public Resources Code, so long thereafter as oil, gas, or other hydrocarbon substances are produced in paying quantities from any of the lands included in any such agreement or drilling operations are conducted thereon.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 9948. Section 9948.

(a) The personal representative shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver the lease as directed, setting forth therein that it is made by authority of the order, giving the date of the order. (b) A lease made pursuant to an order obtained under this chapter is effectual to lease the premises described in the order at the rent, for the term, and upon the terms and conditions prescribed in the order. (c) Jurisdiction of the court in proceedings under this code concerning the administration of the estate of the decedent vests the court with jurisdiction to make the order for the lease. This jurisdiction shall conclusively inure to the benefit of the lessee and the lessee’s heirs and assigns. (d) No omission, error, or irregularity in the proceedings under this chapter shall impair or invalidate the proceedings or the lease made pursuant to an order made under this chapter.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026