How to obtain letters of administration in California. To start the process of obtaining a letter of administration, you must fill out Form DE-150. The completed form DE-150 should then be submitted to the probate court in the county in which the deceased resided in at the time of death.
Small Estate Affidavit If the estate consists solely of personal property (for example a bank account) and the gross value is under $166,250, you could complete an Affidavit (or Declaration) for Collection or Transfer of Personal Property under Probate Code §13100. This is not a court procedure.
Letters testamentary are granted to an individual if they have been named executor in the decedent's will. Letters of administration, however, are given to an administrator appointed by the probate court if the decedent died intestate, or without a valid will. Both documents grant the same powers to the holder.