Calaveras /divisions/probate-division/investigation-fees

Source: https://www.calaveras.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate-division/investigation-fees

Investigation Fees

General Information

A Court Investigation is required for the following matters: Probate Guardianship or Conservatorship, Termination of Guardianship or Conservatorship, Step-Parent Adoption, Termination of Parental Rights, Emancipation of a Minor, Underage Marriage Permission.

Fees

The following fee schedule has been adopted by the court for the various services provided by the Court Investigator:

| Investigation Service | Fee | Guardianship Investigation ( up to 6 hours) | $450 | Guardianship Status Reports | No Charge | Guardianship Review Report | $75 | Guardianship Termination | $350 | Conservatorship Investigation Initial Report (up to 12 hours) | $600 | Conservatorship – Periodic Reviews (up to 6 hours) | $300 | Conservatorship Termination Report | $75 | Step-Parent Adoption Investigation ( up to 3 hours) | $200 | Termination of Parental Rights | $450 | Under Age Marriage Permission | No Charge | Emancipation of Minor | No Charge

If fees present a hardship, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. The Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) is the basic fee waiver form. For additional fees a (FW-002) is required. To learn more about this form and applying for a fee waiver, read the Information Sheet (FW-001-INFO) on Waiver of Superior Court Fees and Costs.

Statutes

Statutes governing the investigations and reimbursement of the costs are as follows:

| Nature of Report | Code Section Requiring Report | Code Section Allowing Reimbursement | Petition to Declare Child Free from Parental Custody and Control | FAM §7850 | FAM §7851.5 Petitioner liable for costs NTE $900. Court may defer, waive or reduce costs when economic hardship. | Step-Parent Adoption | FAM §9000 | FAM §9001 – Step-Parent is liable for costs NTE $700. Court or court investigator, may defer, waive or reduce costs when economic hardship. | Child Custody Investigation | FAM §3111 | FAM §3112 Parent charged with support after court determines financial condition of parent. | Probate Guardianship – Relative Guardian | PROB §1513 | PROB §1513.1 – County shall assess guardian or estate of ward | Conservatorship Proceedings | PROB §1826 | PROB §1851.5 Court order estate to pay unless it would pose undue hardship on the estate. | Conservatorship – Periodic Reviews | PROB §1851 | PROB §1851.5 Court order estate to pay unless it would pose undue hardship on the estate.