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HomeProbate CodeDiv. 4Pt. 2Ch. 1Art. 2§ 1516 Guardianship Investigation Screening

§ 1516 Guardianship Investigation Screening

Probate Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1516 Guardianship Investigation Screening

When someone asks the court to become a guardian of a person, they must tell a local agency about the hearing at least 15 days ahead, and that agency checks if the guardian has any history of hurting kids and sends the results to the court.

Key Takeaways

  • •Notice and petition must be sent to the local agency at least 15 days before the hearing.
  • •The local agency checks the guardian’s record for any past child neglect or abuse.
  • •The agency’s screening results are sent to the court.
  • •These rules don’t apply when the guardianship is part of a permanency plan for a dependent child.

Example

Jane wants to be the legal guardian for her elderly mother. She files a petition with the court.

Jane must send a notice of the hearing and a copy of her petition to the local social services agency at least 15 days before the hearing. The agency will look to see if Jane has any past reports of neglect or abuse of children and then give those findings to the judge.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1516 Guardianship Investigation Screening

(a) In each case involving a petition for guardianship of the person, the petitioner shall deliver pursuant to Section 1215 a notice of the hearing and a copy of the petition, at least 15 days before the hearing, to the local agency designated by the board of supervisors to investigate guardianships for the court. The local social services agency providing child protection services shall screen the name of the guardian for prior referrals of neglect or abuse of minors. The results of this screening shall be provided to the court. (b) This section does not apply to guardianships resulting from a permanency plan for a dependent child pursuant to Section 366.25 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 319, Sec. 32. (AB 976) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

guardianship of the personnotice of the hearinglocal agencyscreeningneglect or abuse of minorspermanency planSection 366.25 of the Welfare and Institutions Code

Related Statutes

  • § 1513 Guardianship Investigation Requirements
  • § 1542 Guardianship Notice Requirements
  • § 1510 Minor Guardianship Petition Rules
  • § 1510.1 Guardianship For Young Adults
  • § 1511 Guardian Appointment Notice Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Probate Code. Section 1516.
View Official Source