Conservatorship and Estate of Luke C. CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

Luke C. appeals from the trial court’s order appointing Public Guardian of Los Angeles the conservator of Luke’s person and estate pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. (See Welf. & Inst. Code, § 5350 et seq.) Luke argues the trial court improperly coerced him to waive his right to a jury trial by telling him he could have either a court trial that day or, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a jury trial in eight months. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. The LPS Act “The LPS Act authorizes the superior court to establish a conservatorship of a person who is gravely disabled as a result of a mental disorder.” (Conservatorship of John L. (2010) 48 Cal.4th 131, 139; see Welf. & Inst. Code, § 5350.)1 “An LPS conservatorship automatically terminates after one year, and reappointment of the conservator must be sought by petition.” (Conservatorship of John L., at p. 143; see § 5361.) “The proposed conservatee is entitled to demand a jury trial on the issue of his or her grave disability,” including on a petition “to reestablish a conservatorship after its automatic expiration . . . .” (Conservatorship of Ben C. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 529, 541-542;…