California courts may appoint guardians ad litem as helping hands to act for those unable to make their own decisions in litigated cases because they are minors or incapacitated adults. For background, see our prior post. Senate Bill 1279, effective January 1, 2023, clarifies and improves the rules governing the selection of guardians ad litem, … Continue Reading
[Editor’s Note: This post was revised on January 11, 2023 after the implementing Judicial Council forms became available.] California trust and estate disputes often include claims that one or more family members have isolated or are isolating an elder for financial gain. For example, Brother may have difficulty communicating with Mother and blame Sister for … Continue Reading
Assembly Bill 1194, approved by Governor Newsom on September 30, 2021, tightens oversight of California conservators, especially those licensed by the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau. The bill expands the duties of California courts with respect to conservatorships, though some reforms depend upon funding in future legislation. With a projected budget surplus, and keen public interest in … Continue Reading
(Editor’s Notes: Lauren Murvihill is a summer associate at Downey Brand. She is a student at UC Davis School of Law. In September 2021, after publication of this post, the Governor approved Senate Bill 315.) The thrifty do-it-yourselfers among us might jump at the opportunity to transfer their family home to their kids while avoiding … Continue Reading
When a California probate court establishes a conservatorship, the conservator is charged with managing the conservatee’s person and/or estate in the conservatee’s best interests. The large majority of professional fiduciaries and family members who become conservators discharge their duties faithfully. Occasionally, however, a conservator may exploit the relationship for personal gain. Over the past year, … Continue Reading
As we enter the eighth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, California courts and litigants continue to grapple with how to move civil cases forward. Senate Bill 1146, approved by Governor Newsom on September 18, 2020, and effective immediately, facilitates the taking of depositions by allowing court reporters to attend remotely and enables electronic service of … Continue Reading
Effective January, 1, 2020, the Legislature changed California conservatorship law with respect to the personal residences of conservatees. Senate Bill 303 attempts to protect conservatees by making it harder to relocate them from and sell their residences. Proponents argued that existing law made it too easy for conservators to liquidate the homes of conservatees. The … Continue Reading
Most California trust and estate disputes involve adults who can make their own choices about what to seek and how hard to litigate, such as the common scenario of siblings competing for assets. But many disputes, or at least potential disagreements, involve people who can’t fend for themselves, such as mentally incapacitated adults, children, or … Continue Reading
California trust and estate disputes often involve allegations that a surviving spouse took advantage of a deceased spouse so as to get more of the latter’s assets. Often the “spousal financial abuse” charges are leveled by the deceased spouse’s biological children against their step-parent, as discussed in a prior post. Sometimes care custodians who are … Continue Reading
Many California financial elder abuse cases we see involve caregivers. While the vast majority are honest, a caregiver who spends many hours alone with a vulnerable client has a unique opportunity to exploit the situation. A crafty and crooked caregiver may go so far as to marry his or her client as part of a … Continue Reading
California courts may appoint guardians ad litem as helping hands to act for those unable to make their own decisions in litigated cases because they are minors or incapacitated adults. For background, see our prior post. Senate Bill 1279, effective January 1, 2023, clarifies and improves the rules governing the selection of guardians ad litem, … Continue Reading
