029: Working With Public Administrators in Probate Cases with Shane Duncombe

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam Price explores how public administrators step in when probate cases become complicated or family members are unavailable. Attorney Shane Duncombe joins the conversation to share practical insights into when and why a public administrator gets appointed, how they investigate estates, and what attorneys should expect when working alongside them. Shane explains the public administrator's role in contested estates, orders to show cause, missing heirs, fiduciary duties, statutory fees, bonding requirements, and how neutral third-party administration can help resolve family conflict. He also breaks down timelines, asset liquidation decisions, trust appointments, and key challenges attorneys should understand when representing government-appointed fiduciaries. Shane Duncombe is the principal of Duncombe Law, representing county public administrators in Riverside and San Bernardino while handling complex probate and civil matters. This episode is a grounded, practical look at probate from the perspective of a professional who handles the toughest cases. In this episode, you will hear: When and why a public administrator gets appointed in probate cases Handling estates with no known heirs or family involvement What attorneys should do when an order to show cause is issued How public administrators investigate assets and locate missing information Neutral estate administration in contested or high-conflict family cases Statutory fees, bonding requirements, and compensation rules for public administrators Resources from this Episode https://raxterlaw.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneduncombe  The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.