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GC-005Optional

Application for Appointment of Counsel

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2019

This form is used to ask the court to appoint a lawyer to represent a person who is a ward, conservatee, or someone who might not be able to make their own decisions. It asks the applicant to explain why having a lawyer is needed for the person's best interests.

The court describes it as: Ask the court to appoint an attorney to the person who is the ward or conservatee or proposed ward or conservatee, or another person who is claimed to lack the ability to make their own decisions.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used in legal cases related to guardianship or conservatorship when someone needs a lawyer appointed to represent them.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What is this form for?
This form is an application to ask the court to appoint an attorney to represent a person in a guardianship or conservatorship case.
Who fills out this form?
The form is filled out by the applicant who is making the request to the court.
Does this form require a fee?
The provided text does not mention any filing fees for this form.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2019.

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