California Probate Bonds, Simplified with Jet Surety

Going through the probate process in California? Don’t fret. We are experts in California probate and make obtaining probate bonds easy and efficient for fiduciaries in the Golden State. Click below to get your bond today. Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 to speak to one of our probate bond experts.

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Why Work with Jet Surety's Probate Team

Jet’s team of probate experts helps California fiduciaries and attorneys secure probate bonds with fast applications and friendly customer service. Jet is the only surety company that works directly with fiduciaries, cutting out the middleman so you save. Our expert underwriters focus exclusively on probate bonds, ensuring that your case will have our full and undivided focus. We study California probate law to ensure each bond request is handled with accuracy and speed.

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Meet the Probate Team

Omar Agha,
Head of Probate Department

Contact me at [email protected]

Omar Agha is the Head of the Probate Department for Jet Insurance Company. Omar manages the marketing strategy for the unit and develops underwriting processes for Jet's probate bond program.

Bryce Desai,
Head of New Business

Contact me at [email protected]

Bryce Desai is the Head of New Business for Jet's Probate Department. Bryce oversees underwriting for probate bond submissions, conducts legal research in state probate law, and creates digital marketing for the Probate Department.

Julia Johnson,
Head of Renewals

Contact me at [email protected]

Julia Johnson is the Head of Renewals for the Probate Department at Jet Insurance Company. Julia is responsible for managing enrollments, overseeing renewals, and assisting with the department's marketing efforts.

What Is a California Probate Bond?

Probate bonds, also known as fiduciary bonds, are a type of surety bond enforced by county superior courts throughout California that protect the interested parties in a probate case from financial harm.

California Probate Code 8480 requires administrators to post an administrator/executor bond to ensure that the estate assets are managed following estate regulations and California law. If the fiduciary fails to fulfill their duties, the surety bond is a financial guarantee for any damaged interested party of the estate, such as an heir or creditor.

California Probate Code 2320 requires conservators to obtain a bond when they are appointed to manage a conservatee's property. The bond safeguards the interests and well-being of the person’s assets and serves as a form of insurance that guarantees the fiduciary's responsible and ethical behavio

Jet’s direct model provides you with a seamless process from start to finish. Learn more in the video below, then select the bond you need to get started.

How Much Do Probate Bonds Cost in California?

Probate surety bonds cost approximately 0.5% of the bond amount. The percentage rate you pay will decrease for larger bond amounts. Jet charges a minimum of just $100, with rates as low as 0.1% for bond amounts over $1.5 million.

Several factors impact the price and approval of a probate bond, including the bond amount, details of the estate, and the applicant’s credit and financial history. Our underwriters review the merits of each application and employ unique tools to help administrators and conservators get approved. Even if your credit is not perfect, we can help you get approved for a probate surety bond.

The court will set your bond amount once they grant your petition and appoint you as the fiduciary in your case. Applicants should provide their minute order or bond order to the surety company when they start their application.

Apply for your probate bond to receive a free quote, or call us for an indication at (855) 470-0877.

What Size Probate Bond Do I Need?

California Probate Code 8482 states the bond amount should equal the value of the personal property in the estate plus any annual income. If the administrator plans to sell real property, the bond amount must include the value of that real estate before the sale.

The Superior Court may reduce the bond amount if the administrator deposits estate funds in a court-restricted account. The Superior Court overseeing the case will determine the required bond amount during the hearing on the petition and will set the bond amount on Form DE-140. If there are minimal assets, the court often sets a minimum bond amount of $20,000 or $30,000. 

For conservators, the court will set the required bond amount once the judge signs the Order Appointing Probate Conservator after your hearing. The judge will only require a bond if the conservator has control over the conservatee’s property. If you have not filed a petition or had your court hearing yet, you must complete these steps before obtaining a bond.

How To Apply for a Probate Bond with Jet

Jet’s application process is simple and fast - our goal is to get the fiduciary bonded as quickly as possible so they can focus on their obligations. All we need is the bond amount and information about the estate. Once completed and submitted, you will receive your purchase price immediately or a Jet underwriter will review the application. Some of the factors Jet considers when underwriting these types of bonds:

Begin your probate bond application today by clicking the button below.

APPLY FOR YOUR BOND

Types of California Probate Bonds

ADMINISTRATOR & EXECUTOR BONDS

Estate administration – also known as “probate” – is the legal process of collecting the assets and property of someone who has passed away, paying off debts, and distributing those assets to the heirs. The Superior Court in the decedent’s county appoints an administrator or executor to handle these tasks for the estate in probate court.

California Probate Code 8480 requires most administrators to post a surety bond before being appointed. This bond serves as protection for the estate's beneficiaries and creditors, ensuring that the administrator performs their duties responsibly and according to law.

CONSERVATOR & GUARDIAN BONDS

In California, when an adult cannot care for themselves or their property, the court will appoint a "conservator" to make decisions on their behalf. The appointed individual, also known as a fiduciary, may be required to obtain a surety bond as required by California Probate Code 2320.

The surety bond safeguards the ward’s assets from any financial harm caused by the conservator’s actions and is a prerequisite for obtaining Letters of Conservatorship. By requiring a bond, the court can help mitigate loss from mismanagement or misuse of the estate assets by the conservator.

TRUSTEE BONDS

Trustees are assigned to administer a trust and disperse the property and assets to the beneficiaries. The person who creates the trust generally selects someone they trust to be the trustee (makes sense, right?). However, there can be times when an added assurance is put into place to guarantee financial security—enter the surety bond.

A trustee bond holds the trustee financially liable in cases of malfeasance while protecting the trust's beneficiaries. The terms of the trust may dictate a surety bond requirement or the court may deem a bond necessary.

Jet Works with California Probate Attorneys

Jet partners with California probate and estate attorneys to provide their clients with direct access to probate surety bonds. Verified Jet Attorneys have free access to innovative solutions, including a white-label application, access to client bond records, concierge customer service, lightning-fast turnaround times, and easy underwriting for your clients.

Register your law firm in minutes and eliminate a major pain point for your clients.

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How Does the Bond Get Filed with the Probate Court?

When you purchase the surety bond, you will immediately receive a digital version of your bond with a receipt. Jet will complete the bond form, attach our raised seal, and mail the original to you. You must simply sign and deliver the form to the superior court.

Our underwriters will provide you with specific instructions on how to file with your bond when you complete the purchase.

How to File a Probate Bond

How to Avoid and Handle Probate Bond Claims

In general, you must fulfill your obligations, whether that is for a trust, a will, or a protected person. Here are a few claim examples by bond type:

Bond TypeClaim Reasons
Administrator/ExecutorFailure to properly track inventory, improper keeping of accounting records, incorrect distribution of assets to heirs
Conservator/GuardianMaking decisions that are not in the best interest of the protected person, taking money or other personal belongings of the protected person
TrusteeFailing to properly administer the trust, acting negligently or fraudulently
Probate Bond Claims

If anyone senses the person holding the bond is failing to deliver assets or otherwise is causing issues, a complaint can be filed with the court in the appropriate county. This could be a family member, beneficiary, member of the public, or anyone else involved in the probate process.

GET A QUOTE

If you have any questions regarding your probate bond, please call (855) 470-0877 or email [email protected].

Notary Bond Application:

X

Business Information:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Employee Dishonesty Bond Application:

Business Information:

Business Description:

Coverage Requirements:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Contract Bond Application:

X

Business Information:

Owner Information:

Job Details:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Worker's Compensation Application:

X

Business Information:

Business Description:

Coverage Requirements

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information: