Conservatorship Attorney in Glendale, California

Experienced Glendale Conservatorship Lawyer

When a loved one can no longer care for themselves or manage their own finances due to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, mental illness, or severe disability, a conservatorship may be necessary. As an experienced Glendale conservatorship attorney with over 25 years of practice, the Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene helps families navigate the complex conservatorship process with compassion and expertise.

Located at 450 N Brand Blvd, Suite 600 in downtown Glendale, our conservatorship lawyer Glendale CA serves families throughout Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and all of Los Angeles County. We understand that seeking a conservatorship is one of the most difficult decisions a family can face, and we're here to guide you through every step of the legal process while protecting your loved one's rights and dignity.

Our Glendale conservatorship attorney handles all types of conservatorships including conservatorships of the person, conservatorships of the estate, limited conservatorships for adults with developmental disabilities, and LPS conservatorships for those with serious mental illness. Whether you're filing for conservatorship at the Glendale Superior Court or need to modify an existing conservatorship, we provide comprehensive legal representation tailored to your family's unique situation.

What Is a Conservatorship in California?

A conservatorship is a court proceeding in which a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (called a conservator) to care for another adult (called a conservatee) who cannot properly provide for their personal needs or manage their own financial affairs. Conservatorships are governed by California Probate Code and require court supervision to protect the conservatee's rights.

When Is a Conservatorship Necessary?

As a Glendale conservatorship lawyer, I help families determine when conservatorship is appropriate. Common situations include:

• Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease: When cognitive decline prevents someone from making safe decisions about their care or finances
• Severe Mental Illness: When psychiatric conditions render someone unable to care for basic needs
• Developmental Disabilities: When adults with autism, Down syndrome, or other disabilities need ongoing assistance
• Traumatic Brain Injury: When accident or injury causes permanent cognitive impairment
• Stroke or Neurological Conditions: When medical conditions affect decision-making capacity
• Substance Abuse: When addiction prevents someone from functioning independently

Conservatorships are typically considered a last resort when less restrictive alternatives like powers of attorney or supported decision-making are insufficient or were not established before incapacity occurred.

Conservator of the Person vs. Conservator of the Estate

California recognizes two distinct types of conservatorships, and our Glendale conservatorship attorney can help you understand which is needed for your situation:

Conservator of the Person: Has legal authority to make decisions about the conservatee's daily care and personal needs, including:

• Where the conservatee will live (home, assisted living, memory care facility)
• Medical treatment and healthcare decisions
• Food, clothing, and personal care
• Social activities and recreation
• Consent to or refusal of medical procedures

Conservator of the Estate: Has legal authority to manage the conservatee's financial affairs and property, including:

• Paying bills and managing bank accounts
• Managing investments and assets
• Collecting income (Social Security, pensions, rents)
• Filing tax returns
• Protecting and maintaining property
• Selling real estate or other assets when necessary

Many conservatorships appoint the same person as conservator of both the person and the estate, giving comprehensive authority over all aspects of the conservatee's life and finances.

Types of Conservatorships in Glendale

General Conservatorship (Probate Conservatorship)

This is the most common type of conservatorship for adults who cannot care for themselves due to physical or mental limitations. General conservatorships are typically established for elderly individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Our Glendale conservatorship lawyer handles all aspects of general conservatorships from petition filing through ongoing court supervision.

Limited Conservatorship

Limited conservatorships are designed for adults with developmental disabilities who need some assistance but retain capacity in certain areas. The conservator's powers are limited to only those areas where the conservatee truly needs help, preserving as much independence as possible. Our conservatorship attorney Glendale works extensively with Regional Centers and families of adults with disabilities.

LPS Conservatorship (Lanterman-Petris-Short)

LPS conservatorships are established for adults with serious mental health disorders who are "gravely disabled" and cannot provide for their basic needs of food, clothing, or shelter due to mental illness. These conservatorships are typically initiated by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health rather than family members and require specific evidence of grave disability. Our Glendale conservatorship attorney has extensive experience with LPS proceedings and mental health conservatorships.

Temporary Conservatorship

When immediate action is needed to protect someone from harm or financial abuse, our conservatorship lawyer Glendale CA can petition for a temporary conservatorship. Temporary conservatorships can be granted quickly (often within days) to address emergency situations while the permanent conservatorship petition proceeds through normal channels.

The Conservatorship Process in Glendale

Establishing a conservatorship in Glendale requires following specific legal procedures mandated by California Probate Code. As your Glendale conservatorship lawyer, I guide you through each step:

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

We begin with a free consultation to discuss your loved one's situation, evaluate whether conservatorship is appropriate, and explain alternatives if available. We'll review medical records, assess the proposed conservatee's capacity, and determine which type of conservatorship is needed.

Step 2: Filing the Conservatorship Petition

Our conservatorship attorney Glendale prepares and files a comprehensive petition with the Los Angeles County Superior Court at the Glendale Courthouse (600 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206). The petition includes:

• Detailed information about the proposed conservatee and their incapacity
• Medical declarations documenting the need for conservatorship
• Information about the proposed conservator and their qualifications
• Details about the conservatee's estate and assets
• Request for specific powers (person and/or estate)

Step 3: Notice to Interested Parties

California law requires notice of the conservatorship proceeding to the proposed conservatee and their close relatives. Our Glendale conservatorship attorney ensures proper notice is given to all required parties, including:

• The proposed conservatee (in person)
• Spouse or domestic partner
• Children, parents, and siblings
• Anyone nominated as conservator in the proposed conservatee's estate planning documents

Step 4: Court Investigation

The court appoints an investigator who interviews the proposed conservatee, reviews the circumstances, inspects living arrangements, and files a report with the court. The investigator acts as the court's eyes and ears to ensure the conservatorship is necessary and appropriate. Our conservatorship lawyer Glendale CA works cooperatively with court investigators to facilitate this process.

Step 5: Legal Representation for Proposed Conservatee

The court appoints an attorney (called Probate Volunteer Panel counsel) to represent the proposed conservatee's interests. This attorney may conduct their own investigation and will represent the proposed conservatee at the hearing.

Step 6: Conservatorship Hearing

At the court hearing before a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, our Glendale conservatorship lawyer presents evidence supporting the need for conservatorship. If the proposed conservatee or any family member contests the conservatorship, the court will hold an evidentiary trial. For uncontested cases, the hearing is typically straightforward, and the judge issues Letters of Conservatorship granting legal authority.

Step 7: Ongoing Duties and Court Supervision

After appointment, the conservator has ongoing responsibilities including:

• Filing an initial inventory of the conservatee's assets (within 90 days)
• Preparing annual accountings of financial transactions
• Filing status reports about the conservatee's condition
• Obtaining court approval for major decisions (selling real estate, etc.)
• Attending periodic court review hearings

Our Glendale conservatorship attorney provides ongoing support to help conservators fulfill their duties and maintain compliance with court requirements.

Costs of Establishing a Conservatorship in Glendale

As a Glendale conservatorship lawyer, I believe in transparent pricing so families can plan appropriately. Conservatorship costs typically include:

Court Filing Fees

• Petition filing fee: $465
• Court investigator fee: $400-$600
• Probate notes and records: $50-$100

Attorney Fees

Our conservatorship attorney Glendale provides legal services at hourly rates or flat fees depending on case complexity:

• Uncontested conservatorship: $3,000-$5,000 (includes petition preparation, court appearances, and obtaining Letters of Conservatorship)
• Contested conservatorship: $10,000-$50,000+ depending on litigation complexity
• Temporary conservatorship: $2,500-$4,000
• Limited conservatorship: $3,500-$6,000

Ongoing Costs

After establishment, ongoing costs include:

• Annual accounting preparation: $1,000-$2,500
• Court supervision fees: $450/year
• Attorney fees for court approval of major transactions

Alternatives to Conservatorship

As a responsible Glendale conservatorship lawyer, I always explore whether less restrictive alternatives might meet your needs. Conservatorships should be a last resort because they significantly restrict personal freedom. Consider these alternatives:

Durable Power of Attorney for Finances

If the individual has capacity now but wants to plan ahead, a durable power of attorney allows them to name someone to manage finances if they become incapacitated. This avoids the need for conservatorship of the estate.

Advance Healthcare Directive

An advance healthcare directive appoints someone to make medical decisions if the person becomes unable to do so, avoiding the need for conservatorship of the person.

Revocable Living Trust

Assets held in a living trust are managed by a successor trustee if the settlor becomes incapacitated, providing an alternative to conservatorship of the estate for trust assets.

Supported Decision-Making Agreements

For individuals with developmental disabilities, supported decision-making allows them to retain legal capacity while receiving help from supporters in making decisions.

Representative Payee (Social Security)

For individuals who only receive Social Security or SSI benefits, appointing a representative payee through the Social Security Administration may be sufficient without conservatorship.

Unfortunately, if your loved one is already incapacitated and did not execute these documents while competent, conservatorship may be the only legal option. Our Glendale conservatorship attorney can help you evaluate your specific situation during a free consultation.

Glendale Superior Court Information

Conservatorship proceedings in Glendale are filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court - Glendale Courthouse:

As a local Glendale conservatorship lawyer, our office is conveniently located just blocks from the Glendale courthouse at 450 N Brand Blvd, Suite 600. This proximity allows us to handle court filings efficiently and attend hearings promptly on your behalf.

Conservatorship Calendar and Hearings

The Glendale courthouse hears conservatorship matters as part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court Probate Division. Hearings are typically scheduled 60-90 days after filing the petition. Our conservatorship attorney Glendale represents clients at all court hearings, including:

• Initial conservatorship hearings
• Temporary conservatorship hearings
• Contested conservatorship trials
• Review hearings
• Termination hearings
• Modification hearings

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Services

As a full-service estate planning and elder law firm in Glendale, we provide comprehensive legal services related to conservatorships:

• Glendale Estate Planning Attorney - Avoid conservatorship with proper estate planning including living trusts and powers of attorney
• Glendale Guardianship Attorney - Establishing guardianship for minor children when parents cannot provide care
• Glendale Trust Litigation Attorney - Trust contests, will contests, and fiduciary duty disputes
• Probate Attorney Glendale - If conservatee passes away, we handle probate administration
• Burbank Estate Planning - Serving conservatorship clients throughout Burbank and Los Angeles County

Contact Our Glendale Conservatorship Attorney Today

If you need to establish a conservatorship for a loved one in Glendale, time may be of the essence to protect their health, safety, and finances. The Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene provides compassionate, experienced representation in all conservatorship matters.

Our Glendale conservatorship lawyer has helped hundreds of families navigate the conservatorship process with skill and sensitivity. We understand the emotional difficulty of these proceedings and work to make the legal process as smooth as possible while protecting your loved one's rights and dignity.