§ 217 Deceased Person Service Cancellation

Probate Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says a business can’t make you go in person to cancel services if a family member, lawyer, or the person handling a dead relative’s affairs asks to cancel.

Key Takeaways

•Businesses must accept cancellation requests from family, attorneys, or personal reps of a deceased person without requiring an in‑person visit.
•The rule covers things like gas, electricity, water, sewage, cable, satellite, telephone, and cell phone service.
•The law has been in effect since January 1 2008.

Example

Grandma passes away and her son calls the electric company to stop the electricity service for her house.

Because the son is a family member, the electric company can cancel the service over the phone or online; they don’t have to make him come to the office.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 217 Deceased Person Service Cancellation

(a) A business that receives an oral or written request from a family member, attorney, or personal representative of a deceased person to cancel that person’s services may not require an in-person cancellation. (b) For purposes of this section, “services” include, but are not limited to, gas, electrical, water, sewage, cable, satellite, telephone, or cellular telephone service. (Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 14, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

in-person cancellation services family member attorney personal representative deceased person

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Probate Code. Section 217.

§ 217 Deceased Person Service Cancellation

Probate Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 217 Deceased Person Service Cancellation

This law says a business can’t make you go in person to cancel services if a family member, lawyer, or the person handling a dead relative’s affairs asks to cancel.

Key Takeaways

•Businesses must accept cancellation requests from family, attorneys, or personal reps of a deceased person without requiring an in‑person visit.
•The rule covers things like gas, electricity, water, sewage, cable, satellite, telephone, and cell phone service.
•The law has been in effect since January 1 2008.

Example

Grandma passes away and her son calls the electric company to stop the electricity service for her house.

Because the son is a family member, the electric company can cancel the service over the phone or online; they don’t have to make him come to the office.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 217 Deceased Person Service Cancellation

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

in-person cancellation services family member attorney personal representative deceased person

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Probate Code. Section 217.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References