March 19 Support Letter for AB 1660 (Schiavo) Public guardians and public administrators

March 19^th, 2026

Assemblymember Schiavo

1021 O Street, Suite 4140

Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: AB 1660 Public guardians and public administrators – support 

Dear Assemblymember Schiavo,

On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I write in support of your authored bill, AB 1660, which would compel financial institutions and third parties to promptly comply with lawful requests for information and property by Public Administrators (PA), Public Guardians (PG) and Public Conservators (PC), and allows courts to impose fines of no less than $1,000 when they fail to comply.

In Marin County, the Public Administrator frequently experiences delays in obtaining timely access to decedent estate assets from financial institutions. While state law requires prompt compliance, institutions often fail to provide necessary account information or release funds without repeated intervention. Public Guardians and Public Conservators similarly can encounter delays as they seek to safeguard estate assets of living conservatees. 

These delays put estate assets at significant risk of loss, waste, or theft. Without timely access, vacant properties may go uninsured or unmaintained, mortgages and taxes may go unpaid, and financial accounts remain vulnerable to improper withdrawals or fraudulent activity. Such delays not only compromise the County’s ability to fulfill its statutory duties but also risk diminishing the financial resources intended for decedents’ heirs.

Despite clear legal authority, the County has been forced to engage additional legal resources to secure compliance and has taken extraordinary steps to obtain a standing order from the Marin County Superior Court compelling financial institutions to follow existing law. Requiring court involvement to enforce statutes creates unnecessary administrative burdens, diverts limited County resources, and delays critical estate administration.

Strengthening enforcement and creating meaningful accountability for non-compliance would protect decedent estate assets, safeguard heirs — many of whom are vulnerable — and reduce costs and inefficiencies for Marin County. Prompt action would ensure that the County can carry out its statutory responsibilities effectively and responsibly.

Sincerely,

Eric Lucan, President

Marin County Board of Supervisors

CC:       Marin County Board of Supervisors

            Assemblymember Damon Connolly

            Senator Mike McGuire