IndependenceJusticeCenter - Legal Services
Legal help for Conservatorship, Guardianship, Civil Litigation, Probate, Elder Abuse, Special Needs Trust, and Estate Planning.
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Conservatorship & Guardianship
In the conservatorship, a court appointed person or organization, the conservator, manages the personal care of the person who has legally been determined to be unable to properly care for his/her personal needs including medical care, food, clothing, or shelter. This may be due to being elderly or someone with a temporary or permanent mental/physical disability,
Conservatorship Types
Limited Conservatorships for adults with developmental disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities who can't fully care for themselves or their property but do not fall under the care needed under a general conservatorship. The court appoints a limited conservator to care for this person.
General Conservatorships over the Person and Estate are used when the conservatee is no longer able to care for themselves physically or handle their own finances. A conservator can be appointed to make financial and/or medical decisions on their behalf. The court also appoints a guardian to make decisions about the conservatee's daily life.
Conservatorship Tasks
Access financial records and bank accounts
Gathering information about assets and expenses
Paying bills
Keeping records of financial transactions
Handle moves to treatment and/or care facility
Benefits of a Conservatorship
Provide a conservatee the support they need. In a conservatorship, the conservator is responsible for making financial and/or medical decisions. This can provide much needed structure.
Help the conservatee maintain their independence. For example, if the conservatee has Alzheimer's disease or dementia, it can give them the stability and support they need to live independently.
Protect the conservatee from exploitation. If the conservatee has a large estate, it can help ensure their assets are properly managed and protected from being taken advantage of.
Guardianship
Legal guardianships are established for children under the age of 18 who are in need of assistance with their personal or financial affairs. We can help you establish guardianship to ensure protection of the child. As guardian, you are appointed by the court to oversee education, housing, health care, and financial support for the child.