California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 20027

(a) No franchisor shall deny the surviving spouse, heirs, or estate of a deceased franchisee or the majority shareholder of the franchisee the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the franchise under a valid franchise agreement for a reasonable time after the death of the franchisee or majority shareholder of the franchisee.  During that time the surviving spouse, heirs, or estate of the deceased shall either satisfy all of the then current qualifications for a purchaser of a franchise or sell, transfer, or assign the franchise to a person who satisfies the franchisor's then current standards for new franchisees.  The rights granted pursuant to this section shall be granted subject to the surviving spouse, heirs or estate of the deceased maintaining all standards and obligations of the franchise.

(b) Nothing in subdivision (a) shall prohibit a franchisor from exercising the right of first refusal to purchase a franchise after receipt of a bona fide offer to purchase the franchise by a proposed purchaser of the franchise.

(c) This article shall not apply to any agreement or contract in effect prior to January 1, 1984, except an agreement or contract of an indefinite duration.  This section shall not apply to any bequest or intestate succession that took effect prior to January 1, 1984.