Show All Answers

1. What is the role of the Public Guardian?

The office of the Public Guardian is responsible for conducting the  County investigation into conservatorship matters.  If appointed, the  Public Guardian acts as conservator for those found by the Superior Court to be unable to properly care for themselves or their finances.

2. What are the essential responsibilities of the Public Guardian when appointed as conservator?

The Superior Court may appoint the Public Guardian as conservator of the person, conservator of the estate or both conservator of person and estate. The following is a brief overview of the responsibilities of each:

• Conservator of the Person - Arranges for the conservatee's placement, protection and care. Also, coordinates and oversees the delivery of needed services.
• Conservator of the Estate - Manages the conservatee's finances, locates and controls conservatee property, collects income, pays bills, invests the conservatee's money and protects estate assets.

3. What are the different types of conservatorship?

California law provides for two basic  types of conservatorship depending upon the conservatee's particular  needs.  The following is a brief description of each:

• Probate Conservatorship: A  probate conservatorship of person may be established for those found  unable to properly provide for their personal needs for physical health,  food, clothing, or shelter.  A probate conservator of estate may be  established for those who are substantially unable to manage their own  financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence.
• Lanterman-Petris-Short (L.P.S.) Conservatorship: A  conservator of the person or both person and estate may be appointed  for those found unable to provide for their basic personal needs for  food, clothing, or shelter as a result of mental disorder or impairment  by chronic alcoholism.

4. What are some resources for Public Guardian - Public Conservator?

Resources include:

• Public Law Library - The  Public Law Library has open access to legal resource materials for the  public.  It is co-located with the Public Law Center which has personnel  available to assist self-represented litigants. Visit the Public Law  Library channel for hours and information.
• FREED - As a non profit Independent Living Resource Center, our goal is to  empower people with disabilities to exercise their civil rights in  becoming active, productive members of our community. 
• Public Law Center
• Legal Services of Northern California