As used in the rules in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings stated below:
(1) A "court investigator" is a person described in Probate Code section 1454(a) employed by or under contract with a court to provide the investigative services for the court required or authorized by law in guardianships, conservatorships, and other protective proceedings under division 4 of the Probate Code;
(2) A "probate examiner" is a person employed by a court to review filings in probate proceedings in order to assist the court and the parties to get the filed matters ready for consideration by the court in accordance with the requirements of the Probate Code, title 7 of the California Rules of Court, and the court's local rules;
(3) A "probate attorney" is an active member of the State Bar of California who is employed by a court to perform the functions of a probate examiner and also to provide legal analysis, recommendations, advice, and other services to the court pertaining to probate proceedings;
(4) "Probate proceedings" are decedents' estates, guardianships and conservatorships under division 4 of the Probate Code, trust proceedings under division 9 of the Probate Code, and other matters governed by provisions of that code and the rules in title 7 of the California Rules of Court;
(5) An "accredited educational institution" is a college or university, including a community or junior college, accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Rule 10.776 amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted effective January 1, 2008.