Sacramento conservatorships and guardianships

Conservatorships & Guardianships in Sacramento

When a loved one can no longer manage their own care or affairs, a court-appointed arrangement can provide the protection they need. At the Law Office of James L. Keenan, I have offered personal, hands-on guidance to Sacramento-area families since 1995. Conservatorships are established for adults who are unable to care for themselves, while guardianships address minors who need someone other than a parent to take responsibility for them.

Reach out to discuss your situation and learn which option fits your family.

Types of Conservatorships

California law provides several paths, and the right one depends on the needs and circumstances of the person being cared for.

Probate Conservatorships

Grounded in California's Probate Code, these are the most frequently used arrangements and fall into two categories:

• General Conservatorships — for adults unable to manage their personal care or finances. Most often this involves seniors, but it can also apply to younger adults with serious impairments, such as those resulting from a motor vehicle accident.
• Limited Conservatorships — for adults with developmental disabilities who cannot fully care for themselves. Those under a limited conservatorship typically do not require the more intensive level of support associated with a general conservatorship.

Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Conservatorships

These arrangements serve adults with severe mental health conditions who need specialized care. Individuals under an LPS conservatorship generally require highly structured living situations and extensive mental health treatment, and they either cannot or will not consent to that care on their own.

To learn more about conservatorships and the responsibilities of a conservator, visit the California Courts website.

Types of Guardianships

Guardianships mirror conservatorships in many ways and pursue similar goals, but they concern the wellbeing of minors. They also share some features with adoption, though the two are not the same. A guardianship is a court order granting custody of a child and/or the right to manage a child's property (the "estate") to someone other than the child's parent or parents.

There are two types of probate guardianship:

• Guardianship of the person — the guardian assumes parental-level responsibility for the child's full range of care, holding legal and physical custody and making decisions about food, clothing and shelter; safety and protection; physical and emotional development; medical and dental care; education and any special needs; and supervision.
• Guardianship of the estate — here the guardian is responsible not for the child personally but for the child's property and estate, managing the child's money, income, or other property until the child reaches age 18. An estate guardian may also serve as the child's guardian, but not always. Duties include managing the child's funds, making sound investments, and carefully overseeing the child's property.

For more on guardianships and the duties of a guardian, see the California Courts website.

Office Information

Law Offices of James L. Keenan
2600 H St., Sacramento, CA 95816

Phone: 916-448-6923  |  Fax: 916-442-6524
Email: [email protected]

Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Evening appointments are available.

COVID-19 Update

My office remains open during the pandemic. Remote consultations and in-person meetings with social distancing are both available. I can meet with you in person, by phone, via FaceTime, Zoom, or another remote application. Court filings and appearances are also being handled remotely, so your entire case can proceed safely from your home.

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