Conservatorship Attorney in Riverside, CA
A conservatorship gives someone court-approved authority to look after an adult, manage that adult’s finances, or both, once the person can no longer do it and hasn’t signed a power of attorney or health care directive that covers the need. These situations often follow dementia, a stroke or a serious injury. For someone who lives in Riverside, the case is generally filed with the Riverside County Superior Court. Conservatorships are part of that court’s probate work, and for the city of Riverside that work generally takes place at the Riverside Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. The Soto Law Group helps families decide whether a conservatorship is truly needed and, if it is, guides them through each stage.
Learn more about our conservatorship services.
Two Kinds of Conservatorship
- Conservator of the person: oversees housing, medical care, safety and the conservatee’s day-to-day needs.
- Conservator of the estate: handles income, bills, investments and property, and reports to the court about the money.
The court can give both roles to one person or divide them between two.
What to Expect in a Riverside County Conservatorship
- The petition. A relative or other interested person asks the Riverside County Superior Court to appoint a conservator and explains why one is needed.
- The court investigator. A court investigator interviews the proposed conservatee and files a report for the judge to review before the hearing.
- The hearing. The proposed conservatee may attend and may object. The judge then rules on two questions: whether a conservatorship is necessary, and who should serve as conservator.
- After appointment. Once appointed, a conservator of the estate must file an inventory of the conservatee’s assets and then regular accountings, and the court continues to monitor the case.
Some situations can’t wait for the regular hearing date, such as an urgent medical decision or a vulnerable adult whose savings are being drained. In those cases, a temporary conservator can be appointed to act until the full petition is decided.
Helping a Riverside Parent From Another City
The family member who handles a parent’s affairs doesn’t always live nearby. If your mother or father lives in La Sierra, Arlington or near downtown Riverside and you live in Orange County, the case still generally belongs in Riverside County, where your parent lives. You can meet with us in Newport Beach while we prepare and file the Riverside County paperwork and keep track of what the court requires. We also help you think through the practical side, such as who will check on your parent from day to day and how the bills will get paid while the case moves forward.
Less Restrictive Options to Consider First
Before granting a conservatorship, a California court has to ask whether something less restrictive would work. That might be a durable power of attorney for finances, an advance health care directive for medical decisions, a trust, or a supported decision-making agreement that lets your parent keep making choices with help. If your parent can still understand and sign documents, it may be possible to put these in place now; our Riverside estate planning page describes them.
When Family Members Disagree
When one sibling believes a parent needs a conservator and another disagrees, or two relatives both want to serve, the case becomes contested. Whichever side you are on, as the petitioner, an objecting relative or a proposed conservator, we can represent you, and we push to settle the disagreement without losing sight of the person the case is about.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conservatorships in Riverside
Does the case have to be filed in Riverside if my parent lives here?
Generally, yes. A conservatorship is usually filed in the county where the proposed conservatee lives, which for a Riverside resident means the Riverside County Superior Court.
Can my parent object to the conservatorship?
Yes. Your parent can come to the hearing and tell the judge they disagree, and the judge weighs that objection along with the investigator’s report and the other evidence.
What happens if my parent's condition improves?
If your parent recovers enough that the conservatorship is no longer needed, the court can end it. A conservatorship also ends when the conservatee dies.
Why Work With The Soto Law Group
Our estate planning work keeps us close to the alternatives, so we will tell you if a durable power of attorney or an advance health care directive would serve your family better than a court case. Attorney Romelia “DeDe” Soto works with families directly and brings more than 20 years of legal experience to these cases.
Related Services in Riverside
Conservatorships in Other Locations
Directions to Our Office From Riverside
Discuss a Conservatorship for a Riverside Loved One
To talk about a parent, spouse or other relative in Riverside who needs help, phone (949) 945-0059 or contact us online.