California’s Default Plan for Incapacity (Conservatorship)

In California, all adults are considered capable of handling their own affairs. A Conservatorship is a court case where a judge determines you are no longer capable and appoints a responsible person to care for you or manage your finances. There are a number of people who can file for a conservatorship: your spouse, a relative, or a friend. If no one is available, a state or local entity may apply on your behalf.

Most often a conservatorship is 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.

Author: Mark W. Bidwell