Action pending at death: apply to substitute personal representative after claim rejected

3 months after date the notice of rejection of the claim was given, under Cal. Prob. Code 9370(a)(3).

Rule text

(a) An action or proceeding pending against the decedent at the time of death may not be continued against the decedent's personal representative unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) A claim is first filed as provided in this part. (2) The claim is rejected in whole or in part. (3) Within three months after the notice of rejection is given, the plaintiff applies to the court in which the action or proceeding is pending for an order to substitute the personal representative in the action or proceeding. This paragraph applies only if the notice of rejection contains a statement that the plaintiff has three months within which to apply for an order for substitution.

Cal. Prob. Code 9370(a)(3), official source

Calculate this deadline

Deadline
Monday, February 8, 2027
  1. Trigger (Date the notice of rejection of the claim was given): Friday, November 6, 2026.
  2. Add 3 months: Saturday, February 6, 2027.
  3. That day is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, February 8, 2027 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10, 17(b)(4), applied to probate proceedings by Prob. Code 1000; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10).
Rules applied
Cal. Prob. Code 9370(a)(3)
(a) An action or proceeding pending against the decedent at the time of death may not be continued against the decedent's personal representative unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) A claim is first filed as provided in this part. (2) The claim is rejected in whole or in part. (3) Within three months after the notice of rejection is given, the plaintiff applies to the court in which the action or proceeding is pending for an order to substitute the personal representative in the action or proceeding. This paragraph applies only if the notice of rejection contains a statement that the plaintiff has three months within which to apply for an order for substitution.
Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10, 17(b)(4), applied to probate proceedings by Prob. Code 1000; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 12b: "If any city, county, state, or public office, other than a branch office, is closed for the whole of any day, insofar as the business of that office is concerned, that day shall be considered as a holiday for the purposes of computing time under Sections 12 and 12a." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135." CCP 17(b)(4): "“Month” means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed." Prob. Code 1000(a): "Except to the extent that this code provides applicable rules, the rules of practice applicable to civil actions, including discovery proceedings and proceedings under Title 3a (commencing with Section 391) of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, apply to, and constitute the rules of practice in, proceedings under this code."
Official source
  • Applies only if the notice of rejection states the 3-month period. Application is made in the court where the action is pending. extensions none: whether a mailed rejection notice extends the period is not stated; unextended date shown (conservative). Enacted by Stats. 1990, ch. 79.
  • If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.

This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.

Worked example

Date the notice of rejection of the claim was given on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Tuesday, June 15, 2027.

  1. Trigger (Date the notice of rejection of the claim was given): Monday, March 15, 2027.
  2. Add 3 months: Tuesday, June 15, 2027.

Notes

Applies only if the notice of rejection states the 3-month period. Application is made in the court where the action is pending. extensions none: whether a mailed rejection notice extends the period is not stated; unextended date shown (conservative). Enacted by Stats. 1990, ch. 79.

Related deadlines

All California probate deadlines

Local rules by county

County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.

Rules current as of 2026-10-23. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.