Law Office of Blumen & Tauro - Mission Viejo, CA

Compassionate Behavioral Health and Legal Advocacy in Mission Viejo

When mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, or psychiatric crises impact a family, the legal system too often responds with incarceration rather than healthcare. The Law Office of Blumen & Tauro in Mission Viejo is dedicated exclusively to Behavioral Health Treatment Law. Founded by veteran attorneys Lee Blumen and Terri Tauro, who combine more than fifty years of courtroom and legal experience, the practice bridges the gap between clinical needs and the judicial system. From guiding families through involuntary psychiatric detentions to advocating in collaborative justice courts, the firm is committed to securing help for individuals who cannot help themselves. If you need a lawyer in Mission Viejo to manage a psychiatric emergency or seek to find an attorney who advocates for clinical treatment in lieu of jail, Blumen & Tauro delivers steadfast counsel.

LPS Conservatorships, CARE Court, and Probate Protection

Navigating California's complex statutory framework for mental health interventions requires nuanced procedural mastery. The firm advises and represents families in civil proceedings designed to mandate and stabilize necessary psychiatric care:

• LPS mental health conservatorships: Representing families when a loved one is gravely disabled, managing initial petitions, court hearings, and annual renewals.
• Psychiatric hold advocacy: Intervening during 72-hour evaluations (5150) and 14-day certifications (5250) to safeguard patient rights.
• CARE Court proceedings: Navigating California's CARE Act to establish court-ordered treatment plans and housing assistance for adults with severe mental illness.
• Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT): Utilizing Laura's Law to obtain outpatient psychiatric care before dangerous decompensation occurs.
• Probate lawyers and conservatorships: Serving as probate lawyers to establish limited and general conservatorships for vulnerable adults.

Criminal Defense Through Mental Health Diversion

Psychiatric decompensation often leads to arrests for offenses such as trespassing, vandalism, assault, and domestic disturbances. Rather than allowing individuals to languish in jail, attorney Terri Tauro and attorney Lee Blumen serve as dedicated criminal defense lawyers fighting for diversion. The firm utilizes California Penal Code section 1001.36 to suspend criminal proceedings in favor of mental health treatment. Acting as compassionate violent crime defense lawyers and theft and burglary defense lawyers, they advocate before specialty collaborative courts, including Mental Health Court and Young Adult Court, securing full case dismissals upon program completion.

Strategic Crisis Management and Family Mental Health Plans

Families often feel helpless when a loved one refuses essential psychiatric care. Blumen & Tauro develops customized, written mental health plans containing emergency contacts, mobile crisis intervention protocols, and essential legal documents. Serving as experienced power of attorney lawyers, the attorneys prepare psychiatric advance directives and durable powers of attorney to ensure family members maintain legal authority during acute medical episodes.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation in Mission Viejo

Navigating behavioral health crises requires swift, informed action. Located on Puerta Real in Mission Viejo, the Law Office of Blumen & Tauro provides comprehensive legal consultations for families throughout Orange County and Southern California. Contact the office today to hire a lawyer dedicated to protecting your loved one's civil rights and securing the medical treatment they desperately need.