1

Get started today

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!

Please call or fill out the form below to arrange an evaluation of your situation and determine the best solution for your and your family.

Name(Required)
Hidden

Free 15-Minute Consultation

Conservatorships

What Is a Conservatorship?

While Britney Spears’ conservatorship case and her multimillion-dollar fortune were extraordinary circumstances, her legal condition is not uncommon: Over 1.3 million U.S. adults are living under guardians or conservators, who control about $50 billion of their assets, according to the National Center for State Courts.

There is some confusion over distinctions between guardians and conservators. In some states, guardianship applies when the ward is a minor, and conservatorship is for an incapacitated or incompetent adult.
Other definitions further muddy the waters. According to some descriptions, a guardian controls personal, daily decisions, while a conservator focuses on financial matters. Let us look at adult conservatorships.

Conservative | Sandoval Legacy Group

Rights and Duties

  • Estate Planning - Know the basics | Sandoval Legacy GroupA conservator generally has rights similar to those of a parent of a minor. The conservator’s authority may sometimes cover specific areas of responsibility, and it may extend for a long, short or temporary period.
  • Judges might also appoint a temporary conservator to bridge a gap while reviewing a more formal petition. As a rule, all conservatorships remain intact until a judge terminates them.
  • A conservator who has authority over the financial elements of a protected person’s life will take charge of that person’s money, investments and property. The conservator’s signature is needed to access those assets.
  • Significant decisions, such as selling property or securities, may also require a court order. In any case, conservators may find it prudent to obtain a court order in advance, to confirm the legitimacy of the decision.
  • By a different token, a conservator who is charged with physical care will decide where the protected person should live, such as whether they should reside in an assisted living facility or a private home and will likewise oversee the protected person’s health care. Some conservators combine general authority over finances, health care and all other major decisions; others have a more limited scope.
  • A conservator undertakes a range of duties. Those who are looking after finances ensure that bills are paid, taxes filed, and investments monitored, and that sufficient funds are kept available for daily outlays.
  • Each transaction needs to be recorded for submission to the court. Life, health and liability insurance should be maintained too. Conservators with authority over health and physical welfare attend to health care and safe housing.

Receiving Protection

  • How to pick a Trustee | Sandoval Legacy GroupA protected person’s needs are paramount, supported by doctors, social workers, and legal and financial professionals. Typically, mental rather than physical incapacity underlies a conservatorship.
  • However, some physical conditions, such as chronic intoxication, drug abuse or prison confinement, may warrant intervention. Two key questions: Can the protected person take care of themselves in terms of food, shelter and hygiene? Or are they a danger to themselves, usually in the sense of being at risk of suicide or self-harm? (Britney was considered to be so.)
  • Protected persons still enjoy rights and are often capable of making many decisions. Some are able to manage their own finances, make or alter a will, or marry (though Britney was restricted from signing a marriage license). Some may make medical choices — though again here, Britney was constrained.
  • Legal systems do provide some theoretical safeguards, although not necessarily meaningful ones. Protected persons must receive a copy of the paperwork, whether or not they can read it. A court investigator regularly visits the protected person and the conservator to check for any signs of abuse and monitor physical conditions and quality of life.
  • Reforms have been proposed since long before Britney’s case brought attention to conservatorships. The National Council on Disability has proposed that courts provide more information on conservatorship and access to government-sponsored legal advice.
  • The rules and situations are complex. If you find yourself in a difficult family situation, work closely with qualified professionals.

Contact Us For Conservatorship Law Assistance In Southern California

If you are wondering how to get a conservatorship in California, contact Southern California’s premier conservatorship attorney Dennis M. Sandoval. Whether you have questions about conservatorships or need help preparing for the continued care of a loved one, the Sandoval Legacy Group team is ready to assist you, and with thirty-plus years of experience as a conservatorship attorney in Southern California, you will have the best legal minds to guide you.

Southern California’s Premier Estate Planning Law Firm

The experienced and trusted estate planning lawyers at Sandoval Legacy Group, A division of Holstrom Block & Parke, A Professional Law Corporation, have offices located throughout Southern California including Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding your estate plan, elder or tax law, or probate. Contact us today by calling xxx-xxx-xxxx to schedule a free on-hour consultation.

Get in touch with us

Schedule Your In-Person Or Virtual Consultation Today!

Call now or complete the contact form below and we’ll respond as soon as we can.

Name(Required)
Hidden

With office locations throughout Southern California, Sandoval Legacy Group, a division of Holstrom, Block & Parke, offers comprehensive and personalized estate planning, special needs planning, trust administration, probate, and conservatorships expert services in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, San Diego County, and Los Angeles County.

Why Choose Us?

Z

Estate Planning

A comprehensive approach to estate planning that preserves your family’s legacy and wealth based on your individual circumstances.

Learn More

Z

Elder Law

Prepare for the unexpected by obtaining a medical power of attorney, healthcare directives, and eldercare options.

Learn More

Z

Probate

Please contact us if you need representation in probate court, or if you wish to avoid probate court all together. Incorporating probate avoidance strategies into your overall estate plan is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones.

Learn More

Z

Special Needs Trusts

In addition to being members of the Special Needs Alliance and the Academy of Special Needs Planners, our law firm can also advise you regarding the intricacies of administering a Special Needs Trust.

Learn More