Code of Civil Procedure section 377.10

For the purposes of this chapter, “beneficiary of the decedent’s estate” means:

(a)

If the decedent died leaving a will, the sole beneficiary or all of the beneficiaries who succeed to a cause of action, or to a particular item of property that is the subject of a cause of action, under the decedent’s will.

(b)

If the decedent died without leaving a will, the sole person or all of the persons who succeed to a cause of action, or to a particular item of property that is the subject of a cause of action, under Section 6401 and 6402 of the Probate Code or, if the law of a sister state or foreign nation governs succession to the cause of action or particular item of property, under the law of the sister state or foreign nation.

Source: Section 377.10, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=377.­10.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1993; accessed Nov. 17, 2025).

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Verified:
Nov. 17, 2025

§ 377.10's source at ca​.gov