AB 1997 Summary

• Expands court authority to appoint private legal counsel for wards, proposed wards, conservatees, and proposed conservatees in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings

• Allows courts to appoint counsel even when the person is already represented by other legal counsel if the court determines they have not competently retained independent counsel for the proceeding

• Provides that the court's determination regarding competency of retained counsel is inadmissible as evidence in any other proceeding

• Maintains existing provisions requiring courts to set reasonable compensation for appointed counsel, payable from the ward's or conservatee's estate or from parents of minor wards

• Requires courts to determine if parents or estates are financially unable to pay counsel costs in guardianship proceedings, with the county covering any unpaid portion