Limited Authority vs. Full Authority
Probate authority is not uniform.
In California, estates proceed under Limited Authority or Full Authority, and the distinction shapes nearly every outcome.
Limited Authority requires additional court involvement before certain actions can be finalized. Full Authority allows more discretion, but still carries fiduciary responsibility and court oversight.
This distinction is often misunderstood because people rely on secondhand explanations from prior beneficiaries or outdated articles. What applied ten or fifteen years ago may no longer reflect how courts operate today.
Many estates begin under Limited Authority by default, even when families expect otherwise. Conversion to Full Authority may be possible, but it depends on current court standards, compliance history, and timing.
Understanding which authority applies now, not historically, prevents unrealistic expectations and costly missteps.