CARE Court petition (CARE Act)
Civil court petition to compel a court-ordered care plan for a person with untreated psychotic-spectrum mental illness
What it does
Civil-court petition under the CARE Act (Welfare & Institutions Code §5970 et seq.) asking a judge to order an evaluation and, if warranted, a CARE plan (up to 24 months) for an adult with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder. The CARE Act statewide rollout completed December 2024.
Eligibility
Petition can be filed by a specific class of persons: spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, or other relative; treating BH professional; first responder; county BH director; tribal authority; public defender or probation officer in pending cases. The SUBJECT person CANNOT self-petition (a notable design choice). The subject must be 18+ and meet diagnostic + non-engagement criteria.
Issued by
California superior courts under the CARE Act (statewide rollout completed by Dec 2024)
Processing time
Initial hearing within 14 days of filing. Investigation period and clinical evaluation: 14-30 days. Full CARE plan can run up to 12 months with a possible 12-month extension.
Audience
Family member, treatment provider, first responder, or county BH agency seeking a court-ordered plan for an adult subject
Official form / portal
https://www.courts.ca.gov/care-act.htmLocal contact (Antelope Valley)
County Superior Court — CARE Act department
Lancaster, CA (Antelope Valley courthouse address being gathered)
Antelope Valley Superior Court line being gathered
Petition is filed with the county Superior Court CARE Act department. The county health & human services agency Behavioral Health director's office can advise on the appropriate petitioner and clinical documentation.
Sources
- 1.Judicial Council of California — CARE Actaccessed 2026-05-27
- 2.CalMatters — CARE Court 2025 dataaccessed 2026-05-27
- 3.DHCS — CARE Act overviewaccessed 2026-05-27
Research compiled by Guardians of the AV. Verify current eligibility and program details with the issuing agency before filing — programs change.