Source: https://trellis.law/ca/issue-type/conservatorship-removal-petition-156
Timestamp: 2020-07-15 05:23:09
Document Index: 327565131

Matched Legal Cases: ['§3', '§ 2650', '§ 2654', '§2651', '§ 2650', '§ 1061', '§ 1061', '§ 8222', '§452', '§452']

Probate Code Section 2650, Article 1 governs the removal of a Guardian or of a Conservator.
Section 2650 states in relevant part, “[a] guardian or conservator may be removed for any of the following causes:
Failure to use ordinary care and diligence in the management of the estate.
Failure to file an inventory or an account within the time allowed by law or by court order.
Continued failure to perform duties or incapacity to perform duties suitably.
Conviction of a felony, whether before or after appointment as guardian or conservator.
Having such an interest adverse to the faithful performance of duties that there is an unreasonable risk that the guardian or conservator will fail faithfully to perform duties.
In the case of a guardian of the person or a conservator of the person, acting in violation of any provision of Section 2356.
In the case of a guardian of the estate or a conservator of the estate, insolvency or bankruptcy of the guardian or conservator.
In any other case in which the court in its discretion determines that removal is in the best interests of the ward or conservatee; but, in considering the best interests of the ward, if the guardian was nominated under Section 1500 or 1501, the court shall take that fact into consideration.”
Probate Code Section 2650, Article 1.
The decision to remove a conservator is determined by the court on case-by-case basis (a question of fact) and the court’s discretion shall not be disturbed on appeal unless the abuse of such discretion is manifest. (Guardianship of Davis (1967) 253 Cal.App.2d 754, 761; see also Guardianship of Howard (1933) 218 Cal. 607, 610 (holding court did not abuse its discretion in removing guardian after finding continued failure to perform duties under the Probate Code.)
Other Protections for Conservatees
In addition to the above statutory protections of the conservatee and duties of the conservator under the Probate Code, disabled adults are further protected by the regulations and rules pertaining to abuse under the Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (“DACPA”). (See Welf. & Inst. Code, Secs. 15600-15675; Conservatorship of Kayle (2005) 134 Cal.App.4th 1, 5 (stating that the purpose of the DACPA “is to afford extra protection to a vulnerable person of the population from mistreatment by abuse or neglect.”)
Removal Petition and Cal. Evidence Code Sec. 730 Evaluations
California Code, Evidence Code Sec. 730 states in relevant part:
“When it appears to the court, at any time before or during the trial of an action, that expert evidence is or may be required by the court or by any party to the action, the court on its own motion or on motion of any party may appoint one or more experts to investigate, to render a report as may be ordered by the court, and to testify as an expert at the trial of the action relative to the fact or matter as to which the expert evidence is or may be required. The court may fix the compensation for these services, if any, rendered by any person appointed under this section, in addition to any service as a witness, at the amount as seems reasonable to the court.... Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a person to perform any act for which a license is required unless the person holds the appropriate license to lawfully perform that act.”
Compensation and Conservator Removal Petitions
“The relationship between a conservator and a conservatee is a fiduciary relationship, like that between a trustee and a beneficiary.” (Conservatorship of Lefkowitz (1996) 50 Cal. App. 4th 1312, 1313-1314 citing Sec. 2101.) “Just as a trustee must ‘administer the trust solely in the interest of the beneficiaries’ (Sec. 16002(a)), a conservator must exercise his or her powers solely in the interests of the conservatee.” (Id. at 1314)
“In attempting to comply with its duty to the beneficiaries, a trustee is bound to exercise the ‘reasonable care, skill, and caution under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity would use in the conduct of an enterprise of like character and with like aims to accomplish the purposes of the trust....’” (Id. citing Sec. 16040(a).) “Similarly, in attempting to advance the interests of the conservatee, a conservator is bound to exercise ‘ordinary care and diligence....’” (Sec. 2401(a).) “In short, as a fiduciary, a conservator is bound to act with reasonable prudence and pursuant to a good-faith belief that its actions will tend to accomplish the purpose of its trust by benefiting the conservatee.” Id.
“[A] conservator is entitled to compensation for his or her time and attorney's fees incurred in unsuccessfully opposing a petition for his or her removal as conservator only if:
the conservator's decision to oppose the petition was motivated by a good-faith belief that it would be in the best interests of the conservatee if the petition were defeated and the existing conservator continued to serve, and
that belief was objectively reasonable.”
(Conservatorship of Lefkowitz (1996) 50 Cal. App. 4th 1312, 1315.)
Useful Rulings on Conservatorship Removal Petition
In the Matter of Cindy Marie Rocheleau
The Court has a detailed history with this estate, having regularly overseen its assets in the decedent's conservatorship matter 56-2010-00384060. In the context of that conservatorship matter, in which there were numerous hearings since 2010, upon receipt of a forensic independent third party account the Court removed petitioner Brian Rocheleau for mismanagement of the estate. Mr. Rocheleau now...
..an adminsitrator of a lower class. Ross, California Practice Guide. Probate, §3:353, p. 3-97. "[T]he surviving spouse is entitled to preference to letters of administration, unless he or she is shown incompetent on some statutory ground. (Estate of Johnson (1920) 182 Cal. 642, 643 [189 P. 280].)". Estate of Garrett (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 831, 868. Mr. Rocheleau is mentally competent. While the C...
CNSRVSHIP OF LEANNE MARIE GERKEN
Per the 6/4/13 tentative ruling, in relevant part: "Limited conservatorship was created 8/2/05. Judge Lane waived accountings on limited co-conservators' representation "only $3200 assets now and the only future expected assets will be social security" (8/2/05 minute order). Unbeknowst to the probate court, limited conservatee received $381,000 in personal injury settlement proceeds on 9/25/07 in...
../trustee and appointed professional fiduciary Angelique Friend as provisional limited conservator/trustee. The suspended limited co-conservators/trustees were ordered to account from and after 9/25/07 with respect to the conservatorship and the SNT. That account was filed 2/27/13. The portion of the account dedicated to the limited conservatorship has a line item potpourri of disbursements of 27...
In the Matter of Scott Hubbard
This court made the following observations on July 26, 2016, upon full review of the court file: "As noted in the court's minute order on May 17, 2016, this case was received on venue transfer from Orange County on December 4, 2014, just after the co-conservators convinced a judge pro tem in Orange County to allow the co-[conservators] $97,057.51 [to] buy a new 3151 square foot family home in Sim...
..roceries and $150 per month for diapers. During the accounting period of slightly more than one year, co-conservators spent $97,957.51 in home improvements. The conservatee pays for gardening, water conditioning, window cleaning, insurance, property taxes, cable television, trash and recycling, gas, electric, Internet and telephone. Co-conservator Julie Hubbard received $6191 from the conservato...
In the Matter of Michael G Ex
This general conservatorship of the person and estate was established on July 21, 1980 in Santa Barbara County by order of Judge Arden Jensen in favor of conservatee's father. A removal petition was filed on September 10, 1996 in favor of conservatee in favor of mother and granted by Judge James Slater. The successor conservator's first account was approved by Judge Thomas Andelerle on August 6, 1...
..27, 2017. In the meantime, nothing was filed and no mandatory investigations were performed. Through counsel for the attorney formerly representing conservatee's mother, conservatee's sister petitions to remove her mother as conservator in favor of her own appointment. The court appoints the deputy public defender to represent the interests of the proposed conservatee as a mandatory Probate Code...
In The Matter Of Johnnie Ray Abair
Conservatorship was opned 3/5/13. An inventory/appraisal was filed 1/10/13, in which the conservator attempted to self-appraise an mobile home. On 6/11/13, the court ordered the conservator to request appointment of a probate referee. A second inventory/ appraisal was filed 7/8/13, again with no probate referee value, simply stating that the mobile home was not being sold. The court set an OSC re...
..On 6/10/14, this court set an OSC re status of account for 7/15/14, ordering the mandatory appearance of the conservator. The conservator was given notice by the court on 6/11/14. That same day, a document entitled "Property and Inventories" was filed with the court. The court reviewed the document in detal and issued the following tentative ruling for 7/15/14: "The account uses a $60K opening v...
Conservatorship of Patricia T Chamberlin
Nature of Proceedings: Status Hearing/ Petition to Remove Co-Conservators/ Petition to Authorize Proposed Action 1. Concerning the Petition to Remove Co-Conservators: This matter is on for hearing, continued from January 19, 2017. There has been no request for evidentiary hearing, so the court issues this tentative ruling based upon the Petition and Opposition thereto on file. The Petition rais...
..ement of the conservatee with Thomas Chamberlin would be inappropriate for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to (1) Thomas Chamberlin's abrupt removal of his mother from the care facility where she was residing; (2) the transparency of his desire to retain a rent-free living space, as he has enjoyed for more than 16 years, to the financial detriment of the Conservatee, (3) the attem...
Recent Rulings on Conservatorship Removal Petition
Glen Reiser (40)
IN THE MATTER OF MYLES AUBUCHON
Hearing: 1) Petition for Appointment of Temporary Conservator of the Person; and 2) Petition for Appointment of Successor Conservator *********************** The ex parte petition for removal of conservator and appointment of successor conservator was heard as an ex parte petition on 06/14/19. The court denied the removal of the conservator and appointment of a successor conservator requested by petitioner at that time and continued the petition for appointment of temporary conservator to 07/12/19.
The ex parte petition for removal of conservator and appointment of successor conservator was heard as an ex parte petition on 06/14/19. The court denied the removal of the conservator and appointment of a successor conservator requested by petitioner at that time and continued the petition for appointment of temporary conservator to 07/12/19. The court ordered reasonable visitation to Patricia Aubuchon at the discretion of Myles, with the visitation taking place outside the conservatee's residence.
IN THE MATTER OF WINIFRED CASTILLANES
Discuss petition for removal with the conservator, counsel for conservatee and petitioner. This was heard on 05/21/19. The court ordered petitioner to provide DOD Taylor with a copy of all her filed documents before she left the courtroom on 05/21/19. The court continued the hearing to 06/11/18 and set a hearing re Modification of Civil Harassment Restraining Order filed on 02/05/18 as well. Nothing has been filed after the 05/21/19 hearing.
Nature of Proceedings: (1) Petition for Removal of Conservator (2) Petition to Appoint Successor Conservator - Person & Estate
Nature of Proceedings: (1) Petition for Removal of Conservator (2) Petition to Appoint Successor Conservator - Person & Estate The court has received and reviewed the status reports requested at the last hearing. The court anticipates appearance by counsel to discuss the content.
CONSERVATORSHIP OF BRIAN MOURAD
PETITION FOR REMOVAL OF CONSERVATOR OF THE PERSON TENTATIVE RULING: The Public Defender represents the conservatee. The Public Defender needs to receive notice of the hearing to properly represent the conservatee, i.e. to indicate whether removing a co-conservator at this time is in the best interests of the conservatee. The matter is continued to June 11, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. A to allow petitioner to provide notice to the Public Defender and to file an amended proof of service with the Court.
CONSERVATORSHIP OF NISSIM LANDYADOO
Code, § 2650.) The conservator shall appear at the hearing and oppose or file an opposition if he wants to contest his removal. If the conservator is removed, the Court will still require the removed conservator to account within a definite period of time, but only after a successor conservator has been appointed. The Court suspends the conservator’s powers pending the removal hearing and orders the conservator to surrender the conservatee’s estate to the Public Guardian as custodian. (Id., § 2654.)
PETITION FOR REMOVAL OF CONSERVATOR OF THE PERSON TENTATIVE RULING: The matter is continued to May 15, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. A to allow petitioner to provide notice to the Public Defender and to file an amended proof of service with the Court.
IN THE MATTER OF DOROTHY L FRONTERA
DeSoto should either resign, a petition for removal be filed, or mediation set. The Court is inclined to suspend Ms. Desoto. One alternative is to appoint son John as the sole trustee, with bond. The Court is concerned about son John's qualifications to act as trustee.
IN THE MATTER OF CAROLINE G. TAFT
A Petition for Removal of Conservator is a noticed petition. It should not be raised as an objection to an accounting. (Pr. C. §2651) If conservatee seeks to remove the conservator, she will need to file a petition with the statutorily required notice.
CONSERVATORSHIP OF RICHARD DOUGLAS ROYER
(1) REVIEW HEARING (2) PETITION FOR REMOVAL OF THE CONSERVATOR OF THE PERSON AND ESTATE AND APPOINTMENT OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN APPEARANCE REQUIRED
(1) REVIEW HEARING (2) PETITION FOR REMOVAL OF THE CONSERVATOR OF THE PERSON AND ESTATE AND APPOINTMENT OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN TENTATIVE RULING: Based on the status report from the Public Guardian, the matter is continued to May 17, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. A for an accounting and review hearing.
GUARDIANSHIP OF MARKIE DELGADO ET AL.
Nature of Proceedings: Petition: Appoint Temporary Guardian Appearance required. The petition will be treated as a petition to appoint a temporary guardian and a petition for removal of the present guardians. (See Prob. Code, § 2650 et seq.) The following must be submitted: (1) Proof of timely personal service of the notice of hearing and a copy of the petition (Prob.
RE: FIRST REPORT OF CONSERVATOR AND PETITION FOR SETTLEMENT
Petition for Removal of Conservator filed by Alicia Harris 5-9-18 is set for continued hearing 9-17-18. B. Per 6-27-18 minute order, court ordered parties to mediation. ALICIA HARRIS SUMMER SELLECK ANDREA LEUNG AVID ELI ALAVI LAKISHA WILSON -- See also Line # 8 -- Need: 1. Summary of Account that complies with PrC § 1061(b). Accounting must begin with values as reported in Inventory & Appraisal. It appears beginning balance is $13,867.31, not $13,494.69. The Court is waiting for these items: 1.
PETITION OF KATRINA NIKO AND KARY AMONS
Petition for Removal of Conservator filed by Alicia Harris 5-9-18 is set for continued hearing 9-17-18. B. Per 6-27-18 minute order, court ordered parties to mediation. ALICIA HARRIS SUMMER SELLECK ANDREA LEUNG AVID ELI ALAVI LAKISHA WILSON PROBATE EXAMINER NOTES-SUBJECT TO REVISION AFTER REVIEW BY THE JUDGE -- See also Line # 8 -- Need: 1. Summary of Account that complies with PrC § 1061(b). Accounting must begin with values as reported in Inventory & Appraisal.
RE: PET’N FOR REMOVAL OF CONSERVATOR AND APPT
For this matter to proceed, will need resignations of current administrators or Petition for Removal filed D. Original Will is attached to Proof of Holographic Instrument. Court will remove original document for lodging. Petitioner will need to supply a copy to replace the original. PrC § 8222 CATHERINE ALVAREZ GEORGE ALVAREZ JR --Drop, apparently superseded by 5.A— If were to proceed, Catherine Alvarez still must do the following: 1. Appear at the hearing 2. File Proof of Publication.
GUARDIANSHIP OF XAVIER SWAY GARRETT
Nature of Proceedings: Petition for Removal of Guardian and Appointment of Successor Guardian The following must be submitted: 1) Proof of Service of Notice of the Hearing (Form DE-120) on Guardian, Summer Ann Garcia. On May 7, 2018, the Court ordered that service on Ms. Garcia must be made before any relief be granted.
EARL J DIECKMAN II ET AL VS RONALD STAEBLER ET AL
DISCUSSION: Demurrer Request for Judicial Notice Pauline Facciano requests judicial notice of: (A) the court docket in case LASC No. 16STPB03812; (B) the underlying petition for removal of successor trustee; (C) the death certificate of Decedent; and (D) notice of settlement of case no. 16STB03812. The request is granted as to Exhibits A, B, and D pursuant to Evidence Code, §452(d). The request is also granted as to Exhibit C pursuant to Evidence Code, §452(h).
IN THE MATTER OF NATHANIEL HATCHER
Tentative Ruling issued by Donald Hurley, Judge Pro Tem presiding on 11/14/17: Court will discuss the petition for removal, the account and report and the Status Report.
Order authorizing petitioner to calendar Petition for Appointment of Temporary Conservator filed 10-2-17. C. Objection and Opposition filed by conservator Renu Chowdhury 10-2-17. D. Petition for Appointment of Successor Conservator and Petition for Removal of Limited Conservatorship filed 10-2-17 are set for 12-11-17. ANANT PREET SINGH TERENCE M MURPHY BHAVIK SINGH MATTHEW S TOTH RENU CHOWDHURY KONSTANTINE A DEMIRIS
PETITION OF SAMIA BWANA AND SOUD HYDER
Order authorizing petitioner to calendar Petition for Appointment of Temporary Conservator filed 10-2-17. C. Objection and Opposition filed by conservator Renu Chowdhury 10-2-17. D. Petition for Appointment of Successor Conservator and Petition for Removal of Limited Conservatorship filed 10-2-17 are set for 12-11-17. ANANT PREET SINGH TERENCE M MURPHY BHAVIK SINGH MATTHEW S TOTH RENU CHOWDHURY KONSTANTINE A DEMIRIS PROBATE EXAMINER NOTES-SUBJECT TO REVISION AFTER REVIEW BY THE JUDGE Need: 1.