Section 2468 Of Article 4. Estate Management Powers Generally From California Probate Code >> Division 4. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 6. >> Article 4.
2468
. (a) The conservator of the estate of a disabled attorney who
was engaged in the practice of law at the time of his or her
disability, or other person interested in the estate, may bring a
petition seeking the appointment of an active member of the State Bar
of California to take control of the files and assets of the
practice of the disabled member.
(b) The petition may be filed and heard on such notice that the
court determines is in the best interests of the persons interested
in the estate of the disabled member. If the petition alleges that
the immediate appointment of a practice administrator is required to
safeguard the interests of the estate, the court may dispense with
notice provided that the conservator is the petitioner or has joined
in the petition or has otherwise waived notice of hearing on the
petition.
(c) The petition shall indicate the powers sought for the practice
administrator from the list of powers set forth in Section 6185 of
the Business and Professions Code. These powers shall be specifically
listed in the order appointing the practice administrator.
(d) The petition shall allege the value of the assets that are to
come under the control of the practice administrator, including but
not limited by the amount of funds in all accounts used by the
disabled member. The court shall require the filing of a surety bond
in the amount of the value of the personal property to be filed with
the court by the practice administrator. No action may be taken by
the practice administrator unless a bond has been duly filed with the
court.
(e) The practice administrator shall not be the attorney
representing the conservator.
(f) The court shall appoint the attorney nominated by the disabled
member in a writing, including but not limited to the disabled
member's will, unless the court concludes that the appointment of the
nominated person would be contrary to the best interests of the
estate or would create a conflict of interest with any of the clients
of the disabled member.
(g) The practice administrator shall be compensated only upon
order of the court making the appointment for his or her reasonable
and necessary services. The law practice shall be the source of the
compensation for the practice administrator unless the assets are
insufficient, in which case, the compensation of the practice
administrator shall be charged against the assets of the estate as a
cost of administration. The practice administrator shall also be
entitled to reimbursement of his or her costs.
(h) Upon conclusion of the services of the practice administrator,
the practice administrator shall render an accounting and petition
for its approval by the superior court making the appointment. Upon
settlement of the accounting, the practice administrator shall be
discharged and the surety on his or her bond exonerated.
(i) If the court appointing the practice administrator determines
upon petition that the disabled attorney has recovered his or her
capacity to resume his or her law practice, the appointment of a
practice administrator shall forthwith terminate and the disabled
attorney shall be restored to his or her practice.
(j) For purposes of this section, the person appointed to take
control of the practice of the disabled member shall be referred to
as the "practice administrator" and the conservatee shall be referred
to as the "disabled member."