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Navigating the process of conservatorship (or guardianship) can be challenging. For families in San Diego and Riverside counties, there are specific legal tools, local laws, and regional resources that can help you decide what’s best and get help if needed.
What Conservatorship Means & What Alternatives Look Like
Conservatorship is a court order granting someone (often a parent or guardian) the legal authority to make decisions for an adult who can’t make certain decisions themselves. In California, there’s a distinction between general conservatorship (broad decision-making powers) and limited conservatorship (restricted to particular areas).
Under California’s recent reforms (such as AB 1663), courts must consider less restrictive alternatives before approving a conservatorship. Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is now recognized legally.
Common alternatives include:
Supported Decision-Making Agreements (where the person gets help from trusted supporters to understand, evaluate, and communicate their decisions, but retains final authority).
Power of attorney or advance directives for health care.
Representative payees for financial benefits (e.g. Social Security).
Local Laws / Policies in San Diego & Riverside
San Diego County Superior Court requires that less restrictive alternatives be explored before granting a conservatorship. SD Courts provide information on Supported Decision-Making.
Riverside Superior Court similarly has general, limited, and LPS conservatorship types, and has a Mandatory Conservatorship Orientation requirement for proposed conservators.
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) statewide, including in these counties, has policies emphasizing that conservatorship should be used only when absolutely necessary and less restrictive options are not viable.
San Diego County Resources
Legal Aid Society of San Diego - Conservatorship Clinic
Service: Walk-in clinic that helps with paperwork, understanding the process of conservatorship, and suggests alternatives.
Location: Central Courthouse
1100 Union Street, Room 671 (in between Dept. 603 and 604), San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM - Noon and 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Supported Decision-Making Technical Assistance Program (SDM-TAP)
Service: Offers education, guidance, and tools for families wanting to use SDM as an alternative.
Location: San Diego Imperial Regional Office
8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 1015, San Diego, CA 92108-1634
Phone: (619) 688-3323 Fax: (619) 688-3296
Email: sandiego@scdd.ca.gov
San Diego Regional Center - Guardianship / Conservatorship Assistance
Service: For people with developmental disabilities, offers case management, assessments, referrals for guardianship/conservatorship assistance or alternatives.
Location: 2300 Boswell Rd., Ste. 200, Chula Vista, California 91914
Phone: (619) 489-3200
San Diego Regional Center - Guardianship/Conservatorship Assistance
Public Guardian (San Diego)
Service: The Public Guardian can act in cases where the Court has determined someone is unable to make decisions; also investigates to determine need.
Location: 5560 Overland Ave. Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 800-339-4661
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ais/Services/Public-Guardian.html
San Diego County Health & Human Services - CARE Act Program
Service: A newer community-based alternative focused on mental health (for people with high mental health needs), with support rather than defaulting to conservatorship.
Phone: 1-877-734-3258 (Option 6 for CARE Act inquiries)
Care Act Program Flyer
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/bhs/CARE_act_program.html
Riverside County Resources
Riverside County Superior Court - Conservatorship Packet & Self-Help
Service: Offers packets (general, limited conservatorship, etc.), orientation classes, and a self-help center to support people through the legal process.
https://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/self-help/conservatorship
Public Guardian of Riverside County
Service: Manages conservatorships where ordered, especially when individuals are unable to care for their assets or personal needs.
Location: 3625 14th Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: (951) 955-1540
Self-Help Probate Services
Service: Workshops, form review, referrals, especially for those who are unrepresented. Available in several Riverside locations: Corona, Indio, Menifee, Palm Springs etc.
https://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/self-help-probate-events
How Families Can Move Forward in San Diego & Riverside
Here are practical steps to take:
Assess what the child / young adult can decide on their own and where they need support. Using SDM or other alternatives first can preserve autonomy.
Gather information from the San Diego or Riverside Superior Court websites about conservatorship vs limited conservatorship.
Use self-help clinics or legal aid early. In San Diego, the Conservatorship Clinic is a good first stop. In Riverside, the court’s Self-Help Probate events and Legal Aid can assist.
Explore supported decision-making agreements via SDM-TAP (statewide) or through your regional center.
Get input from service providers (school, regional center, DDS), and disability rights organizations to see what supports are in place.
Monitor any conservatorship regularly: limited conservatorships and reforms require periodic reviews to see if they’re still needed.
Local legal help and nonprofits are available - you don’t always have to go in alone. Laws are changing: keep up with reforms like AB 1663 in California and county-level new programs (like CARE in SD)
📚 References
This content was adapted from the Department of Developmental Services, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Superior Court of California - County of San Diego, and California Lawyers Association.
Reviewed by ME, Behavioral Health Committee, JW Patient Education Committee.