Public Administrator:
The Public Administrator (PA) protects the assets and manages the affairs of deceased residents of Orange County who at the time of death left no known heirs, no will, no named executor or an executor who is ineligible. The PA searches for assets belonging to the decedent, arranges for the interment when there are no known relatives, makes a search for heirs, and acts as administrator of estates when named in a will or when heirs request such service.

Public Guardian/Probate Conservator:
The Public Guardian/Probate Conservator responds to referrals from Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement agencies and the Superior Court to investigate persons, usually elderly, who are unable to properly provide for their personal needs of physical health, food, clothing or shelter, who are at risk of undue influence by others, or whose property is subject to loss, injury, waste or mismanagement. When appointed by the court, the Public Guardian assumes responsibility for care of the person and his or her assets.

Public Guardian Conservatorship Program for Gravely Disabled Mentally Ill Persons:
The Public Guardian/LPS Conservator investigates the need of a temporary conservatorship to obtain mental health treatment for persons who are gravely disabled due to mental illness. During the investigation alternatives to the conservatorship are explored. If the court appoints the Public Guardian as conservator, we assume responsibility for the overall welfare of the conservatee including placement, treatment and management of the conservatee's assets.

Real Property Sales:
The Public Administrator/Public Guardian conducts private auction sales to sell real property belonging to decedents and conservatorship estates that we administer.  The auctions are held at the Public Administrator/Public Guardian offices at 1300 South Grand Avenue, Building C. in Santa Ana. Listings of the available properties are published in a general circulation newspaper and are posted at the above address. Keys may be checked out to inspect the properties prior to auction.

Personal Property Sales:
Items such as furniture, jewelry, cars and art objects belonging to the estates of conservatees and decedents are sold at auctions held at 1300 South Grand Avenue, rear of Building C, Santa Ana. Auctions are scheduled periodically on Saturdays beginning at 8:30 a.m. Notice of the auctions appear in the Orange County Register and the Public Administrator/Public Guardian web site.