About Us

The Monterey County Public Guardian provides Public Conservatorship (Mental Health Conservatorship) Investigation and administration. Conservatorships, sometimes known as L-P-S Conservatorships, are for Monterey County residents who due to a severe and persistent mental illness are unable to provide for their basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter and are unwilling or unable to accept treatment voluntarily. Investigation and establishment procedures are detailed in California’s Welfare and Institutions Code. These Conservatorships provide for involuntary treatment. Proceedings are held in and supervised by the Superior Court. The stated Legislative intent is to provide individualized treatment, supervision, and placement services by a Conservatorship program for persons gravely disabled due to a mental disorder.  

 The Public Guardian’s (L-P-S) Conservatorship legal responsibilities include:

• Receive referrals and conduct the official County Investigation to determine if a Conservatorship recommendation meets legal criteria. Provide Conservatorship Investigation Report to the Court. 
• Petition for appointment of Conservator and serve in the capacity of Temporary Conservator pending the Court hearing to establish a Conservatorship.
• Assure provision of necessary treatment with the goal of reducing the behavioral manifestations the mental illness causing grave disability.
• Act as Conservator for persons meeting legal criteria