In California, a legal conservatorship lets the court appoint someone to manage another person’s finances or personal care. This person is the conservator. The person they care for is the conservatee.

In California, a legal conservatorship lets the court appoint someone to manage another person’s finances or personal care. This person is the conservator. The person they care for is the conservatee.
The Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo is a trusted resource for families needing a conservatorship lawyer in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience in estate planning and conservatorships in California, our team provides strategic guidance to protect your loved one’s assets and well-being.
From evaluating whether conservatorship is appropriate to implementing alternatives like living trusts or powers of attorney, we help you save time, money, and stress by selecting the most effective legal path.
Courts take conservatorship seriously. Once appointed, the conservator must follow strict rules.
Our Los Angeles conservatorship attorneys help you stay compliant. We assist with tasks like:
Every duty is handled with precision and professionalism by a trusted California conservatorship lawyer.
Yes. You may avoid a legal conservatorship by planning ahead. Use tools like:
These tools allow a trusted individual to make decisions if you become incapacitated, without court intervention.
If conservatorship is the best path, our Los Angeles conservatorship lawyers will stand by you and support you at every stage. As a professional and knowledgeable conservatorship attorney in Los Angeles County we promptly address any concerns throughout the process.
If a family member is mentally ill or unable to manage their money, talk to a conservatorship California attorney. Warning signs of being gravely disabled or falling under undue influence may include:
An experienced attorney specializing in conservatorship in Los Angeles can help you protect their assets and well-being.
Not always. A legal conservatorship in California deprives the conservatee of all ability to make their own decisions. With this in mind, a conservatorship may not be the best option.
Alternatives exist, such as:
Speak with a conservatorship attorney before filing. We’ll help you review all options.

Every family’s situation is unique. Whether you need help pursuing a conservatorship or are looking to avoid one through proactive planning, our team is here to support you.
At the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, we offer:
Contact a skilled conservatorship attorney in Los Angeles today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you find the right legal solution—whether that’s a general conservatorship, limited conservatorship, or an estate planning alternative.
Yes, a permanent managing conservatorship can be reversed in California if the conservatee or an interested party files a petition with the court proving the arrangement is no longer necessary. The court will review current circumstances, and if the protected person demonstrates they can manage their own affairs, the judge has the authority to terminate the conservatorship.
In California, “guardianship” applies to minors while “conservatorship” covers adults who can’t care for themselves or manage their finances. Your family’s specific situation, including the age of the person who needs protection and the type of decisions that need to be made, will determine which legal arrangement fits best.
Conservatorship automatically ends when the conservatee passes away, regardless of whether it’s a conservatorship of the person, the estate, or both. After death, the conservator’s remaining duties are limited to filing a final accounting with the court and properly transferring any assets to the deceased’s estate.
A conservator for a special needs adult in California is responsible for making decisions about housing, healthcare, daily living, and sometimes finances depending on the type of conservatorship granted. They’re also required to always act in the conservatee’s best interest, file regular reports with the court, and ensure the individual receives appropriate services and support.
You’ll need to file a petition with the probate court in the county where the proposed conservatee lives, along with supporting documentation like a capacity declaration from a licensed professional. After filing, the court will appoint an investigator to assess the situation, notify all relevant parties, and schedule a hearing where a judge decides whether to grant the conservatorship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding conservatorship — and how proper planning can help your family avoid it.