GENERAL INFORMATION
DEFINITION
A Probate Referee independently appraises all real estate and tangible and intangible personal property except cash-type items in probate estates; applies probate law to the facts; may hold hearings to obtain the necessary facts and resolve issues of the application of the law to the facts; and other duties as provided by law.
APPOINTMENT
A Probate Referee is appointed to a panel in the county of his or her residence by the State Controller for a term of four (4) years or as otherwise provided by law from a list of persons determined to meet the minimum qualifications.
There are approximately 123 Probate Referee positions on county panels statewide. Please note that the law gives the State Controller absolute authority over the establishment of standards of training, performance and ethics for Probate Referees. Appointments are subject to termination for a violation of established standards of training, performance or ethics or for any other reason provided by law.
Prior to appointment, personal interviews and fingerprints will be required. Investigation may be made of experience and personal histories.
LENGTH OF QUALIFICATION
A person who passes the examination is eligible for appointment for a period of five (5) years from the date of examination. Applicants must still successfully complete any additional qualifications required by the appointing Controller, including but not limited to, an interview.
COMPENSATION
Probate Referees are not salaried but are remunerated, by law, by fees paid directly by the estate (ordinarily 1/10 of 1% of the appraised value in each case -- cash-type items excepted -- to a maximum of $10,000 per estate) from which the referee must pay all expenses (rent, employee salaries, office expenses, etc.).
PROHIBITED PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
A Probate Referee (or any applicant for or person seeking such appointment) shall not, directly or indirectly: (a) solicit, receive, or contribute, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting, receiving or contributing, any assessment, subscription, contribution or political service for any campaign for the Office of the State Controller; or (b) solicit, receive or contribute, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting, receiving or contributing, any assessment, subscription or contribution for any campaign for any other partisan public office of this state exceeding $200 to any party or any candidate in any one year.
Any person who within the last two (2) years preceding appointment has engaged in any such prohibited activity is not eligible for appointment. Probate Referees must agree to not solicit nor receive political contributions from persons related to the conduct of Probate Referee business.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be appointed as a Probate Referee, a person must by experience, background, training and temperament, be qualified to exercise sound judgment in the determination of fair market values of property of all types, real and personal. Applicants must possess the education/experience requirements as listed on the application to be accepted into the written examination. Passing the written examination is also required of those seeking appointment as a Probate Referee.
SCOPE OF WRITTEN EXAMINATION
Principles, methods and techniques of appraising real property of all types, including residential, rural, industrial and commercial.
Principles, methods and techniques of appraising tangible and intangible personal property of all types, including business, partnerships and closely held corportations.
Judgment; analytical and reasoning ability.
General understanding of the laws and procedures relating to probate, wills, community and quasi-community property.
A practice exam is available HERE
APPLICATION
Interested persons who meet the above requirements may apply by accessing the application below.
Applications must be received by March 21, 2025.
The examination will be available to take online on either Saturday, April 12; Sunday, April 13; Monday, April 14; and Tuesday, April 15, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 AM. and 8:00 PM PST, at a web link to be provided.
EXAMINATION FEE
An examination fee of $75.00 (check or money order made payable to the Office of the State Controller) is required of each applicant and must accompany the application. This fee is not refundable.
Send the completed application and exam fee to CPS HR Consulting at the address below. Candidates may send applications via certified mail or utilize other tracking services to ensure delivery.
CPS HR Consulting
Attn: Probate Referee Program
2450 Del Paso Road, Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95834
REFERENCE LETTERS:
Please note that five (5) letters of recommendation from the references you list on your application are required to be considered for an appointment. All letters must be received by the State Controller's Office no later than March 21, 2025.
Send letters to:
State Controller's Office
Attn: Probate Referee Program
300 Capitol Mall Suite 1850
Sacramento, CA 95814.
Application for Probate Referee
See: http://www.sco.ca.gov/Files-EO/probate_examprep.pdf for additional information.
Application for Probate Referee