How to File Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
Last Updated: September 7, 2026
In this Article:
A complete guide to the Contra Costa County conservatorship process — the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez, the mandatory conservatorship workshop, probate calendar notes, the Probate Facilitator, court investigator expectations, costs, and how Probate & More can help.
An Introduction to Contra Costa County Conservatorships
Contra Costa County stretches across the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay Area. For example, it includes Richmond, El Cerrito, Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch, Brentwood, and Oakley.
If you need to file conservatorship in Contra Costa County for a family member who can no longer manage personal care or finances, the process starts at one location: the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in downtown Martinez. As a result, knowing the local filing rules from the beginning can help prevent avoidable delays.
Importantly, one feature sets the Contra Costa County conservatorship process apart from neighboring counties: a court-mandated workshop for appointed conservators. The Riverside County online orientation program now satisfies this requirement under Local Rule 7.416.
The workshop explains a conservator’s legal duties. Failing to complete it can create compliance problems during later court reviews.
This guide covers each major step of the Contra Costa County conservatorship process. Specifically, it explains the petition, mandatory workshop, probate calendar notes, court investigator, timeline, and costs.
Before you begin, our California Conservatorship Guide provides a statewide overview of what to expect.
CONSERVATORSHIP OF THE PERSON
Grants authority over the conservatee’s living situation, medical decisions, and daily personal care. However, financial decisions fall outside this appointment unless the court separately grants estate authority.
CONSERVATORSHIP OF THE ESTATE
Grants authority over the conservatee’s financial affairs — managing income, paying obligations, protecting assets, and filing taxes. Likewise, personal care decisions remain separate unless the court makes a combined appointment.
PERSON & ESTATE COMBINED
When a conservatee needs court supervision across both personal care and financial matters, the judge may grant a single conservator authority in both areas. Therefore, the petition must make a clear showing that both types of protection are genuinely required.
In addition, a Limited Conservatorship is available exclusively for adults with developmental disabilities. The court issues a tailored order specifying only the powers the conservatee actually needs — preserving every remaining legal right. In that situation, when the proposed conservatee is a Regional Center client, the Regional Center becomes part of the process. The Contra Costa County Probate Facilitator can assist self-represented petitioners with limited conservatorship of the person cases only — no estate component.
By contrast, an LPS Conservatorship addresses adults who are gravely disabled due to a mental disorder or chronic alcoholism and may be a danger to themselves or others. LPS proceedings are confidential, require annual reappointment, and follow a completely separate legal track from general probate conservatorships. Moreover, only designated agencies can initiate an LPS referral. This guide covers general probate conservatorships only.
Not sure whether you need conservatorship or guardianship? Our Conservatorship and Guardianship Options in California page outlines how the two proceedings differ and which one fits your circumstances.
Is the Contra Costa County Conservatorship Process the Right Option?
Contra Costa County judges evaluate every conservatorship petition carefully before granting it. California law treats conservatorship as a measure of last resort — one that removes important legal rights from an adult. Therefore, before filing, document why each less restrictive alternative is no longer sufficient for your loved one’s situation.
Alternatives to Explore Before Filing Conservatorship
However, when these alternatives are no longer available, have proven inadequate, or when the proposed conservatee faces active financial exploitation or a medical crisis demanding immediate court authority — the Contra Costa County conservatorship process becomes the appropriate path forward. Accordingly, your petition should clearly document why each alternative falls short.
Contra Costa County Superior Court Probate Division Overview
Every Contra Costa County Superior Court conservatorship petition goes to the Probate Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa — the division responsible for guardianships, decedent estates, trusts, and related proceedings. Before the scheduled hearing, probate examiners review each filing and publish calendar notes identifying any deficiencies.
★ Contra Costa County Unique: Single Courthouse — Filing and Hearings
For convenience, Contra Costa County files all conservatorship petitions and holds all hearings at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez — 725 Court Street. Unlike counties with separate filing and hearing locations, Contra Costa County centralizes everything at one courthouse for all probate and conservatorship matters.
★ Contra Costa County Unique: Mandatory Conservatorship Workshop
In addition, every conservator appointed in Contra Costa County — except professional fiduciaries — must complete the Conservatorship Workshop before beginning their duties. Under Local Rule 7.416, this requirement is satisfied through the Riverside County online orientation program. Register through the Contra Costa County Public Law Library at (925) 655-4627.
★ Contra Costa County Unique: Calendar Notes 6–8 Days Before Hearing
Importantly, probate calendar notes are available 6 to 8 days before the hearing on the Court’s Public Portal — a shorter window than most California counties. Check early and resolve every NEEDED item well before the hearing date.
★ Contra Costa County Unique: Probate File Examiner Hours 8:00–10:00 a.m.
Finally, the Probate File Examiner is available for in-person assistance from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. only, Monday through Friday, in Room 210 at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. Plan accordingly when you need to resolve deficiencies in person.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CONSERVATORSHIP — QUICK FACTS
Court: Contra Costa County Superior Court
Filing Location: Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
Address: 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 608-1000
Clerk Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
eFiling: Required for attorneys, optional for self-represented
eFiling Information:
contracosta.courts.ca.gov/online-services
Case Access:
Contra Costa Public Case Portal
Court Website:
contracosta.courts.ca.gov/
Where to File a Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
In Contra Costa County, the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez handles all probate, guardianship, and conservatorship filings and hearings. As a result, no other courthouse in Contra Costa County handles conservatorship filings or hearings.
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse — Probate Division
725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 608-1000
Business Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Court Records: Room 103 (relocated January 12, 2026)
Petitions may be filed in person at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse clerk’s office, by mail, or electronically through an approved eFiling service provider. Under Local Rule 7.2, attorneys must eFile. By contrast, self-represented petitioners may file in person, by mail, or electronically — eFiling is available but not required.
Before filing, verify current fees at contracosta.courts.ca.gov. If needed, fee waiver forms are available at courts.ca.gov for qualifying petitioners.
QUICK FILING FACTS
Division: Probate
Filing & Hearings: One courthouse only
Courthouse: Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
Address: 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 608-1000
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
eFiling: Mandatory for attorneys, voluntary for self-represented
Forms & Filing Info: Contra Costa Conservatorship Packet
Calendar Notes: Typically posted 6–8 days before hearing
Workshop ★: Required before beginning duties
Case Portal: Contra Costa Public Case Portal
Investigator: Assigned in all general conservatorships
How to File Conservatorship in Contra Costa County — Step by Step
Work through these steps in order. Because Contra Costa County probate examiners review every petition thoroughly, an incomplete form or missed notice deadline will appear in your calendar notes and must be resolved before your hearing.
Gather and Complete Your Petition Packet
First, compile all required GC-series forms and applicable local forms. The court provides a Conservatorship form packet at contracosta.courts.ca.gov. Every field must be accurate — the examiner reviews your entire submission.
File at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
Next, submit your complete petition at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse clerk’s office in Martinez, by mail to 725 Court Street, or through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider. Then pay the required filing fee. Afterward, the clerk assigns your hearing date at submission.
Record Your Case Number and All Deadlines
Once the clerk accepts your petition, the court assigns a case number and hearing date. Next, track every service and notice deadline from day one — each runs backward from the hearing date and the court expects full compliance.
Serve the Citation on the Proposed Conservatee
After the court issues Citation GC-320, a person with no stake in the case must personally hand-deliver it to the proposed conservatee. After service, file your completed proof of service with the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse clerk as soon as delivery is confirmed.
Mail Notice to Required Relatives
Meanwhile, every required relative — the proposed conservatee’s spouse or domestic partner, parents, siblings, and adult children — must receive written notice of the hearing within the court’s mandated period. Then file a separate proof of service for each mailing with the clerk.
Investigation, Hearing, and Appointment
Cooperate with the Court Investigator
After filing, your petition triggers a mandatory Court Investigator assignment. Respond promptly to all scheduling contacts. Before the interview, organize your contact list, medical documentation, and care plan details. The investigator’s report goes directly to the judge.
Check Your Probate Calendar Notes
Then, calendar notes post on the Court’s Public Portal 6 to 8 days before the hearing — a narrower window than most California counties. As soon as the notes appear, check them and resolve every NEEDED item before the hearing. Examiner hours: 8:00–10:00 a.m., Room 210, (925) 608-1000 press 4 then 2.
Appear at Your Hearing
On hearing day, come to your assigned department at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse with a complete copy set of every document on file. An uncontested petition with all calendar notes cleared gives the judge what is needed to sign the Order Appointing Conservator.
Complete the Mandatory Conservatorship Workshop
After appointment, complete the Riverside County online Conservatorship Orientation before beginning any conservator duties. Register through the Contra Costa County Public Law Library at (925) 655-4627 or reference.questionsCCCPLLIB@gmail.com. Advance sign-up required — no walk-ins.
Receive Letters of Conservatorship (GC-350)
Finally, after the Order is signed, GC-348 is filed, and any required bond is posted, the court issues Letters of Conservatorship. Finally, secure certified copies right away — banks, healthcare providers, and government offices each need one before recognizing your authority.
Temporary and Ex Parte Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
Genuine emergencies — active financial exploitation, a sudden medical crisis, or imminent physical danger — may qualify for temporary conservatorship through an ex parte application in Contra Costa County. Accordingly, ex parte relief is reserved for situations where the regular hearing calendar cannot adequately protect the proposed conservatee in time.
Because procedures can change, ex parte applications follow the court’s current local probate rules. Contact the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse Probate Division at (925) 608-1000 to confirm current procedures before preparing any documents. In addition, all applications are submitted at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse.
Key Contra Costa County Temporary Conservatorship Rules
When needed, Probate & More can assist with document preparation for both the temporary application and the underlying general petition when a genuine emergency exists.
Contra Costa County Conservatorship Forms — Required Checklist
In general, every Contra Costa County conservatorship forms checklist covers two categories: statewide Judicial Council GC-series forms and applicable local requirements. Therefore, reviewing the complete list before filing helps you avoid calendar notes that can delay your hearing — and in Contra Costa County those notes arrive only 6 to 8 days out, leaving little time to correct problems.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL FORMS (GC SERIES)
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY REQUIREMENTS
Before we begin preparing your Contra Costa County conservatorship documents, Probate & More reviews your submitted information to verify completeness.
For a complete list of counties we serve, visit our Conservatorship by County in California guide.
What Happens After Filing a Conservatorship Petition
Once you file your conservatorship petition in Contra Costa County, several parallel tracks begin at once. Therefore, staying current with each — and particularly the calendar notes window of 6 to 8 days — is what carries your case to a successful hearing.
Filing Confirmation
After the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse clerk accepts your petition, the court assigns a case number and hearing date. At that point, write down every service and notice deadline because each one runs backward from the hearing date.
Service and Notification
Arrange personal service of Citation GC-320 on the proposed conservatee immediately after the court issues it. At the same time, send notice to all required relatives. Then file each proof of service as soon as you complete it rather than waiting until the hearing is near.
Court Investigation
After you file the petition, the Court Investigator will contact you. Respond to scheduling requests promptly. Before the interview, organize your contact list, medical records, and care plan details. Finally, the investigator submits an independent report directly to the judge.
Probate Calendar Notes — 6 to 8 Days Before Hearing
Most importantly, beginning 6 to 8 days before your hearing, check your calendar notes through the Court’s Public Portal at contracosta.courts.ca.gov. Accordingly, every NEEDED item must be addressed before the hearing date. If questions remain, contact the Probate Examiner at (925) 608-1000 (press 4, then 2) during examiner office hours: 8:00–10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, Room 210.
Hearing and Letters
At the hearing, come prepared to your assigned department at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse with a complete copy set of every document on file. An uncontested petition with all calendar notes cleared gives the judge what is needed to issue the Order Appointing Conservator. File GC-348 and post any required bond before Letters of Conservatorship are issued. Finally, obtain certified copies of your Letters (GC-350).
Track your case through the Court’s Public Portal: contracosta.courts.ca.gov
Electronic Filing in Contra Costa County
Under Local Rule 7.2, every attorney appearing in Contra Costa County must submit documents through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider. However, self-represented petitioners have more filing options. By contrast, self-represented petitioners may eFile voluntarily or file in person at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse clerk’s window or by mail.
KEY eFILING STANDARDS
For Contra Costa County probate eFiling:
✓ All documents submitted in PDF format
✓ Proposed orders as a separate PDF in the same eFiling transaction
✓ Verify current approved EFSPs at contracosta.courts.ca.gov
IN-PERSON AND MAIL FILING
All in-person and mail filings go to the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse only:
✓ In-person: 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
✓ Business hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
✓ By mail: 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
✓ Documents must arrive in time for examiner review before hearing
The Mandatory Conservatorship Workshop in Contra Costa County
The Contra Costa County Superior Court requires every person appointed as a conservator — except licensed professional fiduciaries — to complete a Conservatorship Workshop before beginning their duties. In practice, this makes the workshop an important post-appointment step for most family conservators. For that reason, this is one of the most distinctive post-appointment requirements in the county and is governed by Local Rule 7.416.
Who Must Complete the Workshop
Every non-professional conservator appointed in Contra Costa County must satisfy this requirement. Therefore, if you are a family member, friend, or any non-licensed appointee, the workshop applies to you. However, the only exception is private professional fiduciaries licensed under the California Business and Professions Code.
How to Satisfy the Workshop Requirement
Contra Costa County has designated the Riverside County Superior Court online Conservatorship Orientation as the approved program for satisfying Local Rule 7.416. Accordingly, complete it before you begin performing any conservator duties.
When to Complete the Workshop
Begin the registration process as soon as you know you will be appointed — do not wait until after the hearing. Because workshop availability is subject to scheduling, early registration helps avoid delays. In addition, the court may require proof of completion at periodic review hearings, and failure to satisfy this requirement can become a compliance issue flagged by the Court Investigator.
Additional Support Resources
In addition, the Contra Costa County Public Law Library offers Court Accounting Workshops for conservators managing estate matters. For petitioners over age 60, a Senior Legal Clinic meets the first Tuesday morning of each month at the Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez — attorneys there can assist with court forms and procedures, but cannot provide legal advice or representation.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
Required For: All conservators except professional fiduciaries
Governed By: Local Rule 7.416
Program: Riverside County online Conservatorship Orientation
When to Complete: Before beginning conservator duties
How to Register: Contra Costa County Public Law Library
Phone: (925) 655-4627
Email:
reference.questionsCCCPLLIB@gmail.com
Note: Sign-up required in advance, no walk-ins accepted
Also Available: Court Accounting Workshops, contact Public Law Library
Senior Legal Clinic: First Tuesday morning of each month
Spinetta Family Law Center, Martinez
Open to petitioners age 60+
Court Investigator Expectations in Contra Costa County
In Contra Costa County, every general conservatorship petition triggers a mandatory Court Investigator assignment. Next, the investigator conducts an independent evaluation and delivers a written report directly to the judge before the hearing. Therefore, that report can carry meaningful weight in the outcome of your case.
What the Investigator Evaluates
The investigator meets privately with the proposed conservatee. During that meeting, the goal is to determine whether the person understands the proceeding and whether they object.
In addition, the investigator reviews the proposed conservator’s suitability, including conflicts of interest, reliability concerns, and relevant personal history. After appointment, the Court Investigator’s office continues periodic monitoring. When estate powers are involved, the review also covers financial management.
Periodic Review Schedule
After appointment, reviews follow the schedule set by California Probate Code Section 1850 — commonly at the six-month mark, at one year, and each year after that for general conservatorships. In addition, a separate assessment fee applies to each review. Petitioners who cannot cover that cost may submit a waiver request, which must reach the court before the review is scheduled.
INTERVIEW PREP CHECKLIST
✓ CONTACT LIST
Names and phone numbers for the proposed conservatee’s family members, treating physicians, caregivers, and residential facility staff.
✓ MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION
Current diagnoses, active medications, recent hospitalizations, and a description of how daily limitations prevent independent living or financial management.
✓ CARE PLAN
Your specific plan for providing the conservatee with supervision, medical oversight, and day-to-day support going forward.
✓ FACILITY COORDINATION
If the proposed conservatee is in a care facility, notify staff in advance so the investigator can meet privately without scheduling obstacles.
Contra Costa County Tip:
Be direct and specific. Concrete examples of why voluntary alternatives are no longer adequate will support an accurate investigator report.
Probate Calendar Notes and Common Delays in Contra Costa County
Importantly, calendar notes in Contra Costa County are available only 6 to 8 days before the hearing — a shorter window than most California counties. Therefore, every NEEDED item must be resolved before the hearing. If needed, contact the Probate Examiner at (925) 608-1000 (press 4, then 2) during examiner hours: 8:00–10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, Room 210.
How to Access Contra Costa Calendar Notes
Common Issues That Trigger Calendar Notes in Contra Costa County
CALENDAR NOTES REFERENCE
Check Notes: Contra Costa Public Portal
Available: 6–8 days before hearing, check as soon as they post
Examiner Contact: (925) 608-1000
— press 4, then 2
Examiner Hours ★:
8:00–10:00 a.m. Mon–Fri
Room 210, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
Filing Location: 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
Phone Tree: (925) 608-1000
→ Press 4 for Probate/Conservatorship
→ Then 1 (clerical)
→ Then 2 (examiners)
→ Then 3 (investigators)
Probate Facilitator: probfac@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
(925) 608-2066 voicemail
Limited conservatorship of person only
Timeline for Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
The table below outlines the key stages of the Contra Costa County conservatorship process in the order they typically occur. Meanwhile, service, investigation, and examiner review often run at the same time after filing.
| STAGE | WHAT HAPPENS |
|---|---|
| Prepare petition | Complete all GC-series and applicable local forms. Download the Conservatorship packet from contracosta.courts.ca.gov. |
| File at Wakefield Taylor | Submit all documents at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez — the only filing and hearing location in Contra Costa County. |
| Service & notification | Personally serve GC-320 Citation on proposed conservatee. Mail notice to required relatives. File all proofs of service promptly. |
| Court investigation | Court Investigator contacts you to schedule interviews. Respond promptly. Have documentation, care plan, and contact list ready. |
| Check calendar notes ★ | Check Court’s Public Portal 6–8 days before hearing. Resolve every NEEDED item. Contact examiner 8:00–10:00 a.m. Room 210 if needed. |
| Hearing day | Appear at Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in assigned department. Order signed if petition is uncontested and all calendar notes are cleared. |
| File GC-348 & post bond | File Duties of Conservator & Acknowledgment. Post any required bond before Letters of Conservatorship are issued. |
| Letters issued | Court issues Letters of Conservatorship (GC-350). Obtain certified copies for all institutions. |
| Complete workshop ★ | Complete mandatory Conservatorship Workshop (Riverside County online) before beginning duties. Register: (925) 655-4627. |
| Ongoing duties | Submit Care Plan for person conservatorships. File accountings if estate powers granted. Cooperate with periodic court reviews per Probate Code Section 1850. |
From filing to first hearing, the Contra Costa County conservatorship process typically takes several months. Therefore, filing a thorough, complete petition at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse gives you the strongest foundation for a smooth proceeding.
Cost of Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
Overall, what you spend to file conservatorship in Contra Costa County depends on the type of conservatorship, whether estate powers are requested, and whether you retain an attorney, work with a California Registered LDA, or handle the paperwork on your own.
Court Filing Fees
Because fees change periodically, the California court system revises them from time to time. Verify the current schedule at contracosta.courts.ca.gov before appearing at the clerk’s window. In addition, extra fees apply for supplemental petitions, accountings, and subsequent filings. Qualifying petitioners may apply for a fee waiver at courts.ca.gov.
Court Investigator Fees
In addition, Contra Costa County charges a separate assessment fee for the Court Investigator’s initial report and for each periodic review after appointment. If the conservatee holds sufficient liquid assets, these fees come from the estate. Otherwise, the conservator covers the cost. However, fee waivers may be available for qualifying petitioners.
Conservatorship Workshop Costs
Similarly, the Riverside County online orientation program may carry its own registration or access fee. Contact the Contra Costa County Public Law Library at (925) 655-4627 for current information on fees and how to register.
Bond Premiums
When the court grants estate powers, it typically requires a surety bond to protect the conservatee’s financial assets. Accordingly, annual bond premiums are calculated based on the total estate value under management and remain an ongoing expense throughout the conservatorship.
LDA Document Preparation vs. Attorney Fees
Full attorney representation for a Contra Costa County conservatorship varies based on case complexity and whether the matter is contested. By comparison, working with a California Registered LDA costs considerably less and covers all required document preparation. An LDA prepares your documents and guides you through procedural requirements — but does not provide legal advice, appear in court, or represent you in any legal capacity. However, for contested or legally complex situations, consulting a licensed California probate attorney is the appropriate step.
How Probate & More Helps With Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
Probate & More is a California Registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA). Accordingly, we prepare conservatorship documents for families throughout Contra Costa County and across all 58 California counties. For example, for a full overview of our conservatorship document preparation services, visit our California Conservatorship Services page.
DOCUMENT PREPARATION
FILING & PROCESS GUIDANCE
Frequently Asked Questions About Conservatorship in Contra Costa County
Ready to File Conservatorship in Contra Costa County?
Contra Costa County has several local conservatorship requirements. First, the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez handles all filings and hearings. Also, most non-professional appointees must complete the mandatory Conservatorship Workshop before beginning their duties.
Another important point is that probate calendar notes appear only 6 to 8 days before the hearing, and examiner access is limited to 8:00–10:00 a.m. Getting these details right from the start helps keep your case on schedule.
For that reason, Probate & More prepares your Contra Costa County conservatorship documents with these specific local requirements built in from the beginning — correct filing location, complete petition packet, calendar notes monitoring, and mandatory workshop registration guidance through every stage of the process.
Smart. Simple. Affordable. Legal Help Without the Lawyers for Contra Costa Families.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We are a California Registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA). We prepare legal documents — we do not practice law.
For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a licensed California probate attorney.
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