Conservatorship of D.W. CA6

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

D.W., who is in her mid-50s, has been the subject of conservatorship proceedings for much of her adult life.2 On April 18, 2019, the public guardian petitioned for reappointment as LPS conservator for D.W., alleging she remained gravely disabled and, as the result of a mental disorder, was unable to provide for her own basic needs for food, clothing, or shelter. (§ 5008, subd. (h)(1)(A).) The petition was supported by declarations from two physicians.3 (§ 5361.) The trial court issued a written citation for conservatorship (§ 5350; Prob. Code, § 1823), which was served on D.W. and her appointed attorney from the public defender’s office. The written citation ordered D.W. to appear at a hearing on May 16, 2019, and stated, inter alia: “You have the right to a court or jury trial on the issue of grave disability. The request for a jury trial must be made within five days of the hearing.” On May 16, 2019, the trial court held a status hearing on a number of conservatorship matters, including the public guardian’s reappointment petition for D.W. D.W. was not personally present but was represented by her attorney. At the start of the hearing, D.W.’s…