Q: How can I get guardianship of my grandchildren?
A: You have to petition the court for guardianship. If you cannot afford an attorney to help with this process, there is a guardianship assistance program in many courthouses. The volunteers at this program can answer many questions, and help you fill out the proper forms. Forms are available in Central District at the Forms window in Room 112 of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, at all courthouses, on this web site and on the California Courts Forms web page.

Q: How do I get legal advice?
A: The Court's attorneys and personnel are prohibited by law from advising persons regarding their individual legal problems. You should obtain local counsel of your own choice to answer questions or assist with legal matters. Click here for Probate Self-Help information.

Q: How do I get an attorney?
A: The Court cannot recommend an attorney. You may call the Lawyer's Referral Office (213) 243-1500, the Los Angeles County Bar Association (213) 627-2727 for referrals, or directory assistance for a local bar association referral service in your area. Click here for Probate Self-Help information.

Q: How can I terminate a guardianship or conservatorship?
A: File a Petition to Terminate Guardianship or Conservatorship with the Court.

Q: How can I get money from a blocked account for a minor?
A: Check with the Minor's Account Section at (213) 974-5519.

Q: Where can I check if a probate action has been filed?
A: With the decedent's full name and date of death you can call the Index section at 213-974-5171 or 5175. If a case has been opened in Los Angeles County, the index section will give you a case number and can tell you in which district the case is pending. With that case number, you can view the file where it is located.

Q: Where is the list for probate properties that are for sale?
A: There is no list. However, posting for upcoming petitions in the Central District can be found on the 1st Floor of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Each Courthouse has a posting area of their upcoming petitions as well.

Q: Does the Court provide a list of probated property?
A: The Court does not provide such a list.

Q: Are you closed at lunchtime?
A: Offices for the Court are open during lunch with limited staff.

Q: My case was taken off-calendar, do I have to file a new petition?
A: If the matter is taken off-calendar, you can request that the petition be reset, depending on the circumstances. Re-notice, including re-publication, will be necessary if applicable.

Q: My case was denied without prejudice, what do I have to do to put it back before the court?
A: You must file a new petition (sometimes called an amended petition) under the same case number.

Q: What if the Court lost an original order that needs to be corrected, Nunc Pro Tunc?
A: You should search your own file to make sure you don't have the original (yes, it occasionally happens). If the original cannot be found, request a search by the files section where the case file is housed. If after due diligence all possibilities have been exhausted, the Clerk will issue a certificate of lost document which allows a copy to be made into the original and used.