How California’s Conservatorship Works
A conservatorship is a legal arrangement that allows a family member, spouse, or close friend (conservator), to manage the health care or financial matters of an addicted adult person (conservatee).
The conservator’s duties include:
Make sure the conservatee has food, clothing, shelter, and health care.
Manage conservatee finances.
Control and protect all assets and income of the conservatee.
Pay conservatee bills.
Providing an accounting to the court regarding the management of funds.
Conservatorship vs. Guardianship
The are some distinct differences between Conservatorship and Guardianship:
CONSERVATORSHIP
- Court-appointed individuals who can make decisions on behalf of someone incapacitated.
- Focus on financial decisions.
- Refers to an adult over 18 who is elderly, incapacitated, mentally disabled, or unable to make wise financial decisions.
GUARDIANSHIP
- Court-appointed individuals who can make decisions on behalf of someone incapacitated.
- Focus on health-related decisions or personal needs.
- Relates to minors.
Conservatorship in California
In the state of California, general and limited conservatorships are allowed.
General conservatorship: The court determines if an adult lacks the capacity to self-care or requires a conservator.
Limited conservatorship: Similar proceeding only for adults who, before becoming an adult, suffered from a disability that affects their ability to self-care.