How to File for Conservatorship in Riverside County

Interior hall of the Riverside County Historic Courthouse, where Riverside probate and conservatorship matters are heard — Inside the Riverside County Historic Courthouse, home of the probate division that hears conservatorship petitions. Photo: Brien Clark, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.

A conservatorship gives a responsible adult (the conservator) legal authority to care for an adult who cannot care for themselves or their finances. In Riverside County you file in the probate division of the Superior Court, and an uncontested case typically runs a few months from filing to hearing. Here is the whole process, step by step.

Step 1 — Decide the Type of Conservatorship

Of the person (living situation, medical care), of the estate (finances), or both. Special forms exist for limited conservatorship (developmentally disabled adults) and medical and dementia-related powers. Not sure which fits? Start at our conservatorship overview.

Step 2 — Prepare the Filing Packet

The core Judicial Council forms: the petition (GC-310), confidential supplemental information (GC-312), the screening form (GC-314), notice of hearing (GC-020), citation (GC-320), duties acknowledgment (GC-348), and a capacity declaration where required (GC-335) — plus Riverside County’s local forms. The full list lives on our conservatorship page, and this packet is exactly what our paralegals prepare.

Step 3 — File and Pay the Fees

The packet is filed with the Riverside Superior Court probate division. Court filing fees and a court-investigator fee apply (amounts change periodically — call us at 951-272-5855 for current figures and fee-waiver options if you qualify).

Step 4 — Serve Notice

The proposed conservatee must be personally served with the citation, and relatives must receive written notice. Defective notice is the number-one cause of delayed hearings — our packets include every required notice and proof of service.

Step 5 — Investigation and Hearing

A court investigator interviews the proposed conservatee before the hearing. If everything is in order and no one objects, the judge grants the petition and issues Letters of Conservatorship (GC-350) — the document banks, doctors, and agencies will ask to see.

What It Costs With a Paralegal vs. an Attorney

Attorneys commonly bill thousands for an uncontested conservatorship. We charge a flat fee — no hourly attorney billing — and we prepare the complete packet, filing, and notice paperwork, and you appear at the hearing. If the case is contested, we will tell you honestly that you need an attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does conservatorship take in Riverside County?

An uncontested probate conservatorship typically takes a few months from filing to the hearing. Emergency (temporary) conservatorships can be heard much sooner when the situation requires it.

How much does a conservatorship cost?

Court filing fees and an investigator fee are set by the court and change periodically. Our document preparation is a flat fee — no hourly billing — call 951-272-5855 for current numbers and a quote. See our guide to conservatorship costs in California.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

Not for an uncontested case — California lets you file on your own, and we prepare every document. If the conservatorship is contested, consult an attorney.

We are not attorneys. We are paralegals preparing legal documents, saving you money. The information on this site is not legal advice.