Conservatorship, Guardianship & Alternatives · Adults who need support
Mental health conservatorships and CARE Court
In this guide
- LPS conservatorships are for adults gravely disabled by a serious mental health or substance use disorder, and are usually started by a county.
- CARE Court is a civil court process that connects some adults with schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar I disorder with psychotic features to a treatment and services plan.
- Family members can file a CARE Act petition directly.
LPS conservatorships
A Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorship is a separate type of conservatorship for adults who are “gravely disabled” because of a serious mental health disorder or, under more recent law, a severe substance use disorder. These cases usually begin after a period of involuntary treatment and are typically filed by a county conservatorship investigator or public guardian, not by family members directly.
An LPS conservatorship lasts one year and must be renewed through the court to continue. The person has the right to a lawyer and to a hearing or jury trial.
CARE Court
The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act created a court process for adults with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders who meet specific criteria. Since 2026, it also covers bipolar I disorder with psychotic features. A judge can order a CARE agreement or plan that connects the person with treatment, housing resources, and a volunteer supporter. CARE Court is not a conservatorship and does not take away the person’s rights.
Family members, household members, some clinicians and certain others can file a CARE Act petition using Judicial Council forms. CARE Court operates in every California county.
Where people start
County behavioral health departments explain local mental health services and crisis options. In a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline takes calls and texts at 988.
Common questions
Can a family member start an LPS conservatorship?
Generally, the county starts LPS conservatorships after a professional referral. Family members can contact the county’s behavioral health department or public guardian to share information.
Official sources for this guide
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