Section 13050 - Property excluded in determining property of estate of decedent (a) For the purposes of this part: (1) Any property or interest or lien thereon that, at the time of the decedent's death, was held by the decedent as a joint tenant, or in which the decedent had a life or other interest terminable upon the ...

13051. For the purposes of this part: (a) The guardian or conservator of the estate of a person entitled to any of the decedent's property may act on behalf of the person without authorization or approval of the court in which the guardianship or conservatorship proceeding is pending.

According to California Probate Code Sections 13100-13116, if the decedent passes away with their estate valued at less than $166,250, which includes real and personal property (but excludes certain property), a formal probate proceeding may not need to be opened.

Section 13006 of the Probate Code is amended to read: 13006. "Successor of the decedent" means: (a) If the decedent died leaving a will, the sole beneficiary or all of the beneficiaries who succeeded to a particular item of property of the decedent under the decedent's will.