Article 2. Jurisdiction of California Probate Code >> Division 4. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 8. >> Article 2.

(a) In this article:
  (1) "Emergency" means a circumstance that likely will result in substantial harm to a proposed conservatee's health, safety, or welfare, and for which the appointment of a conservator of the person is necessary because no other person has authority and is willing to act on behalf of the proposed conservatee.
  (2) "Home state" means the state in which the proposed conservatee was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months immediately before the filing of a petition for a conservatorship order, or, if none, the state in which the proposed conservatee was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months ending within the six months prior to the filing of the petition.
  (3) "Significant-connection state" means a state, other than the home state, with which a proposed conservatee has a significant connection other than mere physical presence and in which substantial evidence concerning the proposed conservatee is available.
  (b) In determining under Section 1993 and subdivision (e) of Section 2001 whether a proposed conservatee has a significant connection with a particular state, the court shall consider all of the following:
  (1) The location of the proposed conservatee's family and other persons required to be notified of the conservatorship proceeding.
  (2) The length of time the proposed conservatee at any time was physically present in the state and the duration of any absence.
  (3) The location of the proposed conservatee's property.
  (4) The extent to which the proposed conservatee has ties to the state such as voting registration, state or local tax return filing, vehicle registration, driver's license, social relationship, and receipt of services.

For a conservatorship proceeding governed by this article, this article provides the exclusive basis for determining whether the courts of this state, as opposed to the courts of another state, have jurisdiction to appoint a conservator of the person, a conservator of the estate, or a conservator of the person and estate.

(a) A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a conservator for a proposed conservatee if this state is the proposed conservatee's home state.
  (b) A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a conservator for a proposed conservatee if, on the date the petition is filed, this state is a significant-connection state and the respondent does not have a home state.
  (c) A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a conservator for a proposed conservatee if, on the date the petition is filed, this state is a significant-connection state and a court of the proposed conservatee's home state has expressly declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum.
  (d) A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a conservator for a proposed conservatee if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
  (1) On the date the petition is filed, this state is a significant-connection state, the proposed conservatee has a home state, and a conservatorship petition is not pending in a court of the home state or another significant-connection state.
  (2) Before the court makes the appointment, no conservatorship petition is filed in the proposed conservatee's home state, no objection to the court's jurisdiction is filed by a person required to be notified of the proceeding, and the court in this state concludes that it is an appropriate forum under the factors set forth in Section 1996.
  (e) A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a conservator for a proposed conservatee if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
  (1) This state does not have jurisdiction under subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d).
  (2) The proposed conservatee's home state and all significant-connection states have expressly declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is the more appropriate forum.
  (3) Jurisdiction in this state is consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States.
  (f) A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a conservator for a proposed conservatee if the requirements for special jurisdiction under Section 1994 are met.

(a) A court of this state lacking jurisdiction under subdivisions (a) to (e), inclusive, of Section 1993 has special jurisdiction to do any of the following:
  (1) Appoint a temporary conservator of the person in an emergency for a proposed conservatee who is physically present in this state. In making an appointment under this paragraph, a court shall follow the procedures specified in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 2250) of Part 4. The temporary conservatorship shall terminate in accordance with Section 2257.
  (2) Appoint a conservator of the estate with respect to real or tangible personal property located in this state.
  (3) Appoint a conservator of the person, conservator of the estate, or conservator of the person and estate for a proposed conservatee for whom a provisional order to transfer a proceeding from another state has been issued under procedures similar to Section 2001. In making an appointment under this paragraph, a court shall follow the procedures specified in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 2250) of Part 4. The temporary conservatorship shall terminate in accordance with Section 2257.
  (b) If a petition for the appointment of a conservator of the person in an emergency is brought in this state and this state was not the home state of the proposed conservatee on the date the petition was filed, the court shall dismiss the proceeding at the request of the court of the home state, if any, whether dismissal is requested before or after the emergency appointment of a temporary conservator of the person.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 1994, a court that has appointed a conservator consistent with this chapter has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over the proceeding until it is terminated by the court or the appointment expires by its own terms.

(a) (1) A court of this state having jurisdiction under Section 1993 to appoint a conservator may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.
  (2) The issue of appropriate forum may be raised upon petition of any interested person, the court's own motion, or the request of another court.
  (3) The petitioner, or, if there is no petitioner, the court in this state, shall give notice of the petition, motion, or request to the same persons and in the same manner as for a petition for a conservatorship under Section 1801. The notice shall state the basis for the petition, motion, or request, and shall inform the recipients of the date, time, and place of the hearing under paragraph (4). The notice shall also advise the recipients that they have a right to object to the petition, motion, or request. The notice to the potential conservatee shall inform the potential conservatee of the right to be represented by legal counsel if the potential conservatee so chooses, and to have legal counsel appointed by the court if the potential conservatee is unable to retain legal counsel.
  (4) The court shall hold a hearing on the petition, motion, or request.
  (b) If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subdivision (a), it shall grant the petition, motion, or request, and either dismiss or stay any conservatorship proceeding pending in this state. The court's order shall be based on evidence presented to the court. The order shall be in a record and shall expressly state that the court declines to exercise its jurisdiction because a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The court may impose any condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a conservator of the person, conservator of the estate, or conservator of the person and estate be filed promptly in another state.
  (c) In determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including all of the following:
  (1) Any expressed preference of the proposed conservatee.
  (2) Whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the proposed conservatee has occurred or is likely to occur and which state could best protect the proposed conservatee from the abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  (3) The length of time the proposed conservatee was physically present in or was a legal resident of this or another state.
  (4) The location of the proposed conservatee's family, friends, and other persons required to be notified of the conservatorship proceeding.
  (5) The distance of the proposed conservatee from the court in each state.
  (6) The financial circumstances of the estate of the proposed conservatee.
  (7) The nature and location of the evidence.
  (8) The ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence.
  (9) The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding.
  (10) If an appointment were made, the court's ability to monitor the conduct of the conservator.

(a) If at any time a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a conservator because of unjustifiable conduct, the court may do any of the following:
  (1) Decline to exercise jurisdiction.
  (2) Exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of fashioning an appropriate remedy to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the conservatee or proposed conservatee or the protection of the property of the conservatee or proposed conservatee or to prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a petition for the appointment of a conservator of the person, conservator of the estate, or conservator of the person and estate is filed in a court of another state having jurisdiction.
  (3) Continue to exercise jurisdiction after considering all of the following:
  (A) The extent to which the conservatee or proposed conservatee and all persons required to be notified of the proceedings have acquiesced in the exercise of the court's jurisdiction.
  (B) Whether it is a more appropriate forum than the court of any other state under the factors set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 1996.
  (C) Whether the court of any other state would have jurisdiction under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of Section 1993.
  (b) If a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a conservator because a party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in unjustifiable conduct, it may assess against that party necessary and reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, investigative fees, court costs, communication expenses, medical examination expenses, witness fees and expenses, and travel expenses. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses of any kind against this state or a governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state unless authorized by law other than this chapter.

If a petition for the appointment of a conservator of the person, conservator of the estate, or conservator of the person and estate is brought in this state and this state was not the home state of the proposed conservatee on the date the petition was filed, in addition to complying with the notice requirements of this state, the petitioner shall give notice of the petition or of a hearing on the petition to those persons who would be entitled to notice of the petition or of a hearing on the petition if a proceeding were brought in the home state of the proposed conservatee. The notice shall be given in the same manner as notice is required to be given in this state.

Except for a petition for the appointment of a conservator under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1994, if a petition for the appointment of a conservator is filed in this state and in another state and neither petition has been dismissed or withdrawn, the following rules apply:
  (a) If the court in this state has jurisdiction under Section 1993, it may proceed with the case unless a court in another state acquires jurisdiction under provisions similar to Section 1993 before the appointment.
  (b) If the court in this state does not have jurisdiction under Section 1993, whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time before the appointment, the court shall stay the proceeding and communicate with the court in the other state. If the court in the other state has jurisdiction, the court in this state shall dismiss the petition unless the court in the other state determines that the court in this state is a more appropriate forum.