2.30.360 Initial hearing – Order initiating probate – Appointment of personal representative and letters of administration.
(a) Within 30 days of filing of a petition for probate, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Court shall hold a hearing to consider:
(1) Initiating probate proceedings;
(2) Appointing a personal representative;
(3) Issuing letters of administration; and
(4) Whether decedent left a valid will or died intestate.
(b) If the petition and other evidence before the Court are sufficient to support the jurisdiction of the Court, the Court shall enter an order initiating probate of the decedent’s estate. Such order shall either establish and initiate probate of decedent’s will, or shall conclude that the decedent died intestate. In the absence of an original will, the Court may permit a true and correct copy of a will to be probated if it finds that the will is valid by a preponderance of the evidence.
(c) Following the conclusion of the hearing and order initiating probate, the Court shall issue letters of administration conferring the powers and duties of the personal representative on the petitioner or another person. [Ord. 53 § 8508, amended, 10/30/2018; Ord. 50B § 8508, amended, 6/22/2017.]