§ 1019 Deceased Patient Communication Privilege

Evidence Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

Key Takeaways

•If someone dies, their family or others fighting over their stuff can't keep secrets about what the person said or wrote.
•This rule applies whether the person left a will, died without a will, or gave things away while alive.
•The law makes sure everyone gets the same info so fights over money or stuff are fair.

Example

A dad dies and his two kids fight over who gets his house. One kid says the dad told them they could have it, but the other kid doesn’t believe it.

The kid who heard the dad’s promise can’t keep it a secret. They have to tell everyone what the dad said so the fight is fair.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1019 Deceased Patient Communication Privilege

There is no privilege under this article as to a communication relevant to an issue between parties all of whom claim through a deceased patient, regardless of whether the claims are by testate or intestate succession or by inter vivos transaction. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

privilege deceased patient testate succession intestate succession inter vivos transaction

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1019.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References