Nov. 24, 2025
With friends like these: Who has standing in conservatorship law
In probate law, only those with a genuine, sustained relationship or legal stake can petition to override another's autonomy, and casual acquaintances or well-meaning strangers do not have standing.
Megan A. Moghtaderi
Principal and Practice Group Leader for the Trust and Estates Department West
Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law
Certified Specialist by the State Bar in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate
When friendship becomes a legal battleground, the question is not just who cares -- it's who counts. In probate law, conservatorship petitions are powerful tools. They are meant to shield individuals who can no longer care for themselves, but when misused, they risk undermining personal autonomy and weaponizing concern.
The recent court of appeal decision in Conservatorship of Anne S. (2025) 112 Cal.App.5th 1021, underscores this tension. This case offers more than a...
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