Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

I am facing a contested conservatorship for my disabled sister, and it is now set for trial.

I already filed an Issue Conference Statement, and I wish to know what is the difference between Issue Conference Statement vs an Issue Conference. I have been at the law library to research this; however, the few information I find is either limited or too technical. I had an attorney; however, at mediation, I was blindsided by my own attorney because he asked for co-conservatorship at the very beginning of mediation. The family member is contested the conservatorship was physically violent for 20 years, and therefore, I refuse to be in the same room with him.

I understand I ought to hire another attorney for this. However, I paid over $18,000 with the first attorney, and the creditors will not lend me more. Therefore, the reason I must proceed on my own.


Asked on 1/06/11, 10:19 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

You can look up the local rules for that court, if you have not already done, to find out how they treat the two matters. I think, but am not sure as i do not know what court you are in, that the former is merely the statement filed for the later.

If you have not already done so, ask your former attorney why he asked for a joint conservatorship and ignored your wishes to be solely in charge. Be sure to get all of your file, including his notes from him [he might be able to charge a copying fee but nothing else]. Ask what your overall strategy should be. Then go through the papers to see if you were overcharged, especially as to the mediation [if the only issue was who should be conservator, you might want to agrue that he did not really represent you as to that so should not get his full hourly rate].

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Answered on 1/11/11, 11:31 am


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