When you become a conservator, you take on the responsibility of managing certain aspects of another person’s life because they cannot do so themselves.
But like guardianship, conservatorship is not always all-encompassing. Here are different types of conservatorships and what you need to know about each one.
Financial conservatorship
If you become a financial conservator, you are in charge of the conservatee’s finances. Your duties might include managing income, paying bills, filing taxes and so on.
The goal is to protect the financial well-being of the conservatee by making decisions in their best interest.
Physical conservatorship
In this kind of arrangement, your main duty is to manage the personal and physical care of the conservatee. This might mean:
- Deciding where the conservatee will live
- Making healthcare decisions
- Managing their day-to-day activities
Physical conservatorship is common among the elderly and individuals with disabilities. These people generally need help from others to care for their physical health.
General conservatorship
When you take on a general conservatorship, you must look after both the personal and financial affairs of your loved one.
Similarly, the main goal of a general conservatorship is to make decisions that will benefit the conservatee. In other words, you should always be prioritizing their health, safety and financial security.
Limited conservatorship
In a limited conservatorship, you have authority over some aspects of the conservatee’s life. The conservatee may still have partial capability to handle their own affairs, but they typically need assistance with other parts of their life.
This kind of conservatorship is often used for adults with developmental disabilities, such as Down’s syndrome or severe autism.
Filing for conservatorship is often a complex process, mainly because courts want to balance a conservatee’s right to autonomy with the need for protection. If you believe your loved one will benefit from a conservatorship, an attorney can help you make the right decisions for everyone involved.
