How to Add a Co-Conservator in California
Adding a co-conservator in California starts with filing a petition asking the court to appoint an additional person to serve alongside the existing conservator. It's a similar, but not identical, process to setting up a conservatorship. Once the court grants the petition, both conservators share the authority and responsibilities the court has outlined.
First: what a co-conservator actually is
A co-conservator is a second person who serves alongside the first, with the same role. Two people can be co-conservators of the person, of the estate, or of both. Families often want this for good reasons: to share the workload, to provide backup and continuity if one person becomes unavailable, or simply because both want to be legally involved in caring for their loved one.
The single most important thing to understand up front is this: co-conservators share decision-making authority equally. In California, co-conservators generally must act jointly, meaning they both need to agree on and sign off on decisions unless the court specifically authorizes them to act independently.
Scenario 1: Naming co-conservators from the start
The simplest way to have two conservators is to request both in the initial petition. When you first petition the court, you name both proposed conservators, and the court considers whether appointing both is appropriate and in the conservatee's best interest. If granted, the Letters of Conservatorship name both people from day one.
Scenario 2: Adding a co-conservator to an existing conservatorship
If a conservatorship is already in place and you want to add a second person, you do it by petitioning the court to appoint an additional (co-)conservator. The general path looks like this:
File a petition with the probate court requesting appointment of a co-conservator.
Give notice to the interested parties, including the conservatee and specific relatives.
The proposed co-conservator provides the required information. Like any conservator, they'll typically need to complete the standard screening form and acknowledge the duties of the role.
The conservatee is appointed an attorney to make sure their voice is heard.
Investigation and hearing. An investigator will review the request, and a judge decides at a hearing whether to appoint the co-conservator.
Amended Letters issued. If the court grants the petition, you receive updated Letters of Conservatorship naming both conservators.
The court's focus throughout is the conservatee's best interest. The conservatee's own preferences are given weight in who serves.
Co-conservator vs. successor conservator: an important distinction
Families sometimes ask to "add" a second person when what they really want is a backup rather than a partner. These are different:
A co-conservator serves alongside the first conservator, right now, sharing authority.
A successor conservator is named in a written document as the next intended conservator if the current conservator can no longer serve, due to illness, death, or resignation. But that nomination alone doesn't make them a conservator. They still have to go to court to be appointed by a judge. Learn more in Nominating a Successor Conservator.
Let's set it up the right way for your family
Whether you want two people to serve together from the start, need to add a co-conservator to an existing case, or would be better served by naming a successor, I can help. I take every case personally and offer flat-fee arrangements for many matters, serving families throughout Marin, the greater Bay Area and beyond.
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This article is general information about California law and is not legal advice. How co-conservatorship works depends on the court's orders and your family's situation. For guidance, please consult a qualified conservatorship attorney.
