Section 3140 Of Article 5. Hearing And Order From California Probate Code >> Division 4. >> Part 6. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 5.
3140
. (a) A conservator served pursuant to this article shall, and
the Director of State Hospitals or the Director of Developmental
Services given notice pursuant to Section 1461 may, appear at the
hearing and represent a spouse alleged to lack legal capacity for the
proposed transaction.
(b) The court may, in its discretion and if necessary, appoint an
investigator to review the proposed transaction and report to the
court regarding its advisability.
(c) If the court determines that a spouse alleged to lack legal
capacity has not competently retained independent counsel, the court
may in its discretion appoint the public guardian, public
administrator, or a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of
the spouse.
(d) (1) If a spouse alleged to lack legal capacity is unable to
retain legal counsel, upon request of the spouse, the court shall
appoint the public defender or private counsel under Section 1471 to
represent the spouse and, if that appointment is made, Section 1472
applies.
(2) If the petition proposes a transfer of substantial assets to
the petitioner from the other spouse and the court determines that
the spouse has not competently retained independent counsel for the
proceeding, the court may, in its discretion, appoint counsel for the
other spouse if the court determines that appointment would be
helpful to resolve the matter or necessary to protect the interests
of the other spouse.
(e) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), the
court may fix a reasonable fee, to be paid out of the proceeds of the
transaction or otherwise as the court may direct, for all services
rendered by privately engaged counsel, the public guardian, public
administrator, or guardian ad litem, and by counsel for such persons.
(f) The court may order the cost of the review and report by a
court investigator pursuant to subdivision (b) to be paid out of the
proceeds of the transaction or otherwise as the court may direct, if
the court determines that its order would not cause a hardship.