Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
California Government Code — §§ 68630-68641
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 913, Sec. 23. (AB 2747) Effective January 1, 2015.
An initial fee waiver shall be granted by the court at any stage of the proceedings at both the appellate and trial court levels if an applicant meets the standards of eligibility and application requirements under Sections 68632 and 68633. An initial fee waiver excuses the applicant from paying fees for the first pleading or other paper, and other court fees and costs, including assessments for court investigations under Section 1513, 1826, or 1851 of the Probate Code, as specified in rules adopted by the Judicial Council, unless the court orders the applicant to make partial payments under subdivision (c) of Section 68632, subdivision (d) of Section 68636, or subdivision (e) of Section 68637. Under circumstances set forth in Section 68636, the court may reconsider
the initial fee waiver and order the fee waiver withdrawn for future fees and costs or deny the fee waiver retroactively. At the end of the case, the court may recover fees and costs that were initially waived under circumstances set forth in Section 68637. Upon establishment of a conservatorship or guardianship, the court may collect all or part of any fees waived pursuant to this section and Section 68632 from the estate of the conservatee or ward, if the court finds that the estate has the ability to pay the fees, or a portion thereof, immediately, over a period of time, or under some other equitable agreement, without using moneys that normally would pay for the common necessaries of life for the applicant and the applicant’s family.
Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 913, Sec. 24. (AB 2747) Effective January 1, 2015.
For purposes of this article, a conservatee, ward, or person for whom a conservatorship or guardianship is sought, shall be deemed the “applicant,” and the conservator, guardian, or person or persons seeking to establish the conservatorship or guardianship shall be deemed the “petitioner.” In those cases, the petitioner is responsible for completing all forms and providing all information required under this article.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 646, Sec. 1. (SB 54) Effective January 1, 2026.
Permission to proceed without paying court fees and costs because of an applicant’s financial condition shall be granted initially to all of the following persons:
Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF) grant program (Section 10553.25 of the Welfare and Institutions Code).
Supportive Services (IHSS) (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12300) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code).
Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of paragraph (2) of Section 9902 of Title 42 of the United States Code or a successor statute or regulation.
the applicant and the applicant’s family. Only if a trial court finds that an applicant under this subdivision can pay a portion of court fees, or can pay court fees over a period of time, or under some other equitable arrangement, without using moneys that normally would pay for the common necessaries of life for the applicant and the applicant’s family, the court may grant a partial initial fee waiver using the notice and hearing procedures set forth in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e) of Section 68634. “Common necessaries of life,” as used in this article, shall be interpreted consistently with the use of that term in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 706.051 of the Code of Civil Procedure, as that paragraph read prior to January 1, 2012.
condition of the conservatee or ward meets the standards for a fee waiver pursuant to subdivision (a), (b), or (c).
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
After notice and an opportunity to be heard, the court may require an applicant under subdivision (c) of Section 68632 to pay a portion of court fees, or to pay court fees over a period of time or under some other equitable arrangement that meets the criteria of subdivision (c) of Section 68632. The court shall give a written statement of reasons if an application is denied in whole or in part.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
An initial fee waiver shall expire 60 days after the judgment, dismissal, or other final disposition of the case.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
The Judicial Council may adopt a rule of court to allow litigants who are not eligible for a fee waiver to pay court fees in installments.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 462, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 462.
The Judicial Council shall adopt rules and forms to establish uniform procedures to implement this article, including, but not limited to, procedures for all of the following: