Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2680. Section 2680.
When for any reason a vacancy occurs in the office of conservator, the court may appoint a successor conservator in the manner provided in this article.
ARTICLE 2. Appointment of Successor Conservator [2680. - 2689.]
Cal. Probate Code - PROB 2.
in effectCal. Probate Code - PROB § 2681. Section 2681.
A petition for appointment of a successor conservator may be filed by any of the following:
(a)
The conservatee.
(b)
The spouse or domestic partner of the conservatee.
(c)
A relative of the conservatee.
(d)
Any interested state or local entity or agency of this state or any interested public officer or employee of this state or of a local public entity of this state.
(e)
Any other interested person or friend of the conservatee.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2682. Section 2682.
(a)
The petition shall request that a successor conservator be appointed for the person or estate, or both, and shall specify the name and address of the proposed successor conservator and the name and address of the conservatee.
(b)
The petition shall set forth, so far as they are known to the petitioner, the names and addresses of the spouse or domestic partner and of the relatives of the conservatee within the second degree.
(c)
If the petition is filed by one other than the conservatee, the petition shall state whether or not the petitioner is a creditor or debtor of the conservatee.
(d)
If the conservatee is a patient in or on leave of absence from a state institution under the jurisdiction of the State Department of State Hospitals or the State Department of Developmental Services and that fact is known to the petitioner, the petition shall state that fact and name the institution.
(e)
The petition shall state, so far as is known to the petitioner, whether or not the conservatee is receiving or is entitled to receive benefits from the Veterans Administration and the estimated amount of the monthly benefit payable by the Veterans Administration for the conservatee.
(f)
The petition shall state whether or not the conservatee will be present at the hearing.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2683. Section 2683.
(a)
At least 15 days before the hearing on the petition for appointment of a successor conservator, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given as provided in this section. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the petition.
(b)
Notice shall be delivered pursuant to Section 1215 to the persons designated in Section 1460 and to the relatives named in the petition.
(c)
If notice is required by Section 1461 to be given to the Director of State Hospitals or the Director of Developmental Services, notice shall be delivered pursuant to Section 1215 as required.
(d)
If notice is required by Section 1461.5 to be given to the
Veterans Administration, notice shall be delivered pursuant to Section 1215 as required.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2684. Section 2684.
Unless the petition states that the conservatee will be present at the hearing, the court investigator shall do all of the following:
(a)
Interview the conservatee personally.
(b)
Inform the conservatee of the nature of the proceeding to appoint a successor conservator, the name of the person proposed as successor conservator, and the conservatee’s right to appear personally at the hearing, to object to the person proposed as successor conservator, to nominate a person to be appointed as successor conservator, to be represented by legal counsel if the conservatee so chooses, and to have legal counsel
appointed by the court if unable to retain legal counsel.
(c)
Determine whether the conservatee objects to the person proposed as successor conservator or prefers another person to be appointed.
(d)
If the conservatee is not represented by legal counsel, determine whether the conservatee wishes to be represented by legal counsel and, if so, determine the name of an attorney the conservatee wishes to retain or whether the conservatee desires the court to appoint legal counsel.
(e)
Determine whether the appointment of legal counsel would be helpful to the resolution of the matter or is necessary to protect the interests of the conservatee in any case where the conservatee does not plan to retain legal counsel and has
not requested the appointment of legal counsel by the court.
(f)
Report to the court in writing, at least five days before the hearing, concerning all of the foregoing, including the conservatee’s express communications concerning representation by legal counsel and whether the conservatee objects to the person proposed as successor conservator or prefers that some other person be appointed.
(g)
Deliver pursuant to Section 1215, at least five days before the hearing, a copy of the report referred to in subdivision (f) to all of the following:
(1)
The attorney, if any, for the petitioner.
(2)
The attorney, if any, for the conservatee.
(3)
Any other persons as the court orders.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2685. Section 2685.
If the conservatee is present at the hearing, prior to making an order appointing a successor conservator the court shall do all of the following:
(a)
Inform the conservatee of the nature and purpose of the proceeding.
(b)
Inform the conservatee that the conservatee has the right to object to the person proposed as successor conservator, to nominate a person to be appointed as successor conservator, and, if not represented by legal counsel, to be represented by legal counsel if the conservatee so chooses and to have legal counsel appointed by the court if unable to retain legal counsel.
(c)
After the court so informs the conservatee, the court shall consult the conservatee to determine the conservatee’s opinion concerning the question of who should be appointed as successor conservator.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2686. Section 2686.
If the petition states that the conservatee will be present at the hearing and the conservatee fails to appear at the hearing, the court shall continue the hearing and direct the court investigator to perform the duties set forth in Section 2684.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2687. Section 2687.
The conservatee, the spouse, the domestic partner, or any relative or friend of the conservatee, or any other interested person may appear at the hearing to support or oppose the petition.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2688. Section 2688.
(a)
The court shall determine the question of who should be appointed as successor conservator according to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 1810) of Chapter 1 of Part 3.
(b)
The order appointing the successor conservator shall contain, among other things, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the successor conservator, the conservatee’s attorney, if any, and the court investigator, if any.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 2689. Section 2689.
If the conservatee is an “absentee” as defined in Section 1403:
(a)
The petition for appointment of a successor conservator shall contain the matters required by Section 1841 in addition to the matters required by Section 2682.
(b)
Notice of the hearing shall be given as provided by Section 1842 in addition to the requirements of Section 2683, except that notice need not be given to the conservatee.
(c)
An interview and report by the court investigator is not required.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026