What Is a Conservatorship?

A conservatorship is a legal arrangement in which a court appoints a person or an organization (the "conservator") to manage the financial affairs and/or personal care of another person (the "conservatee") who is unable to do so themselves due to a mental or physical disability.

The conservator has the authority to make decisions on the conservatee's behalf about matters such as:

1. Financial matters: paying bills, managing investments, and collecting benefits

2. Medical care: consenting to medical treatment and making healthcare decisions

3. Personal care: deciding where the conservatee will live and providing for their daily needs

4. Legal matters: representing the conservatee in legal proceedings

Conservatorships are typically established through a court process that involves a petition, a hearing, and a determination by the judge that the conservatee lacks the capacity to make their own decisions. The court will also specify the scope of the conservatorship, which may be limited to certain areas or may be full and complete.

Conservatorships can be temporary or permanent, depending on the nature of the conservatee's disability. They are subject to ongoing court oversight and review, and the conservator is required to file regular reports on the conservatee's condition and the management of their affairs.