(a)
If any person committed to a state mental hospital has sufficient estate for the purpose, the guardian or conservator of the person’s estate shall pay for his or her care, support, maintenance, and necessary expenses at the mental hospital to the extent of the estate. The payment may be enforced by the order of the judge of the superior court where the guardianship or conservatorship proceedings are pending. On the filing of a petition therein by the department showing that the guardian or conservator has failed, refused, or neglected to pay for such care, support, maintenance, and expenses, the court, by order, shall direct the payment by the guardian or conservator. Such order may be enforced in the same manner as are other orders of the court.
(b)
If at any time there is not sufficient money on hand in the estate of a committed person to pay the claim of a state mental hospital for his or her care, support, maintenance, and expenses therein, the court may, on petition of the guardian or conservator of the estate, or if the guardian or conservator fails, refuses, or neglects to apply, on the petition of the department, make an order directing the guardian or conservator to sell so much of the other personal or real property or both, of the person as is necessary to pay for the care, support, maintenance, and expenses of the person at the mental hospital. From the proceeds of such sale, the guardian or conservator shall pay the amount due for the care, support, maintenance, and expenses at the mental hospital, and also such other charges as are allowed by law.
(c)
Payment for the care, support, maintenance, and expenses shall not be extracted, however, from a person who has no more than five hundred dollars ($500) of assets.