(a) (1) All moneys and other personal property of any member other than that described in Section 1035 shall, upon the death of the member, first be paid to the administrator for payment of funeral expenses or any obligation owed to any home remaining unpaid after the disbursement required by Section 1035 is completed; and second, in the absence of an heir or heirs or a will, pass and descend to and become the property of the state for credit to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. If the total value of that property in the state over and above any amounts due the veteran for services in the Armed Forces of the United States or from any other employment does not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), the home may, without procuring letters of administration, collect any money due the decedent, receive the property of the decedent, and have any evidences of interest, indebtedness, or right transferred to it upon furnishing the person, representative, corporation, official, or body owning the money, having custody of the property, or acting as registrar or transfer agent of the evidence of that interest, indebtedness, or right, with an affidavit showing the right of the home to receive the money or property or to have the evidences transferred. The receipt of the home shall constitute sufficient acquittance for any payment of money or delivery of property made pursuant to this section and shall fully discharge that person, representative, corporation, officer, or body from any further liability with reference thereto, without the necessity of inquiring into the truth of any of the facts stated in the affidavit. However, that payment or transfer does not preclude administration when necessary to enforce payment of the decedent’s debts, and the administrator may, upon proof determined to be sufficient, pay the debts directly and without administration.

(2) This subdivision applies only to veterans, spouses, and domestic partners becoming members of a home on or after January 1, 1984.

(b) (1) All moneys and other personal property of any member other than that described in Section 1035 shall, upon the death of the member, in the absence of a spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, or father or mother, pass and descend to and become the property of the state for credit to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. If the total value of that property in the State of California over and above any amounts due the veteran for services in the Armed Forces of the United States or from any other employment does not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), the home may, without procuring letters of administration or awaiting probate of any will, collect any money due the decedent, receive the property of the decedent and have any evidences of interest, indebtedness, or right transferred to it upon furnishing the person, representative, corporation, official, or body owning the money, having custody of that property, or acting as registrar or transfer agent of the evidence of that interest, indebtedness, or right, with an affidavit showing the right of the home to receive that money or property or to have those evidences transferred. The receipt of the home shall constitute sufficient acquittance for any payment of money or delivery of property made pursuant to this section and shall fully discharge the person, representative, corporation, officer, or body from any further liability with reference thereto, without the necessity of inquiring into the truth of any of the facts stated in the affidavit. However, the payment or transfer does not preclude administration when necessary to enforce payment of the decedent’s debts, and the administrator may, upon proof determined to be sufficient, pay those debts directly and without administration.

(2) This subdivision shall apply only to veterans, spouses, and domestic partners who have become members of a home prior to January 1, 1984.

(c) For the purpose of application to this section of the provisions of the Probate Code governing distribution of property, the home shall be deemed to be a beneficiary of the decedent.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 28, Sec. 63. (SB 96) Effective June 27, 2017.)