In California, all adults are considered capable of handling their affairs. Conservatorship is California’s Default Plan for Incapacity. A Conservatorship is a court case in which a judge determines you are no longer capable and appoints a responsible person to care for you or manage your finances. Several people can file for a conservatorship: your spouse, a relative, or a friend. A state or local entity may apply on your behalf if no one is available.
A conservatorship is most often used to manage finances, but it can also be used to care for a person. The most common care for a person is confinement to avoid harm, such as Alzheimer’s. Once a conservatorship is established, you and the person appointed to look after you are under court supervision. Your best interest is the Court’s primary concern.