Understanding What Conservatorship Los Angeles Means For Older Individuals

By Jessica Sanders


Most people value their independence as they grow older. They may resist giving up habits of a lifetime such as driving. Some senior citizens find themselves in difficult situations as they begin to lose their health or start to run out of money in retirement. When things become severe enough to alarm family member and friends, it might be good to consider the kind of conservatorship Los Angeles courts put in place.

It is unsettling for some to think about end of life issues like making a will and letting certain family members know how long they want their life prolonged medically and whether they wish to be buried or cremated. If they don't do these things a conservator may end up making the decisions for them. A general conservator is one who makes all an individual's decisions, and a limited conservator is appointed to help out in the areas where the senior is having trouble.

The general conservator of a person has control over all aspects of that person's life. This includes medical care, living arrangements, transportation and anything else that affects an individual's care and maintenance. An estate conservator takes charge of the individual's finances and assets. This person decides how money will be spent and is responsible for paying the conservatee's bills.

It is up to the court to decide who the conservator will be. A close family member such as a sibling, adult child, or spouse is preferred. If such an individual is unavailable, the court will look at friends and associates or may appoint an attorney. It is the court's responsibility to make the best choice possible for the individual while taking the wishes of family members into consideration.

A court appointed investigator will look into the circumstances surrounding the decision to request a conservatorship for an individual. This professional generally meets with the person to go over exactly how the conservator will affect his or her life and make certain no one is trying to duly influence the court's ultimate decision. A detailed and confidential report of the investigator's findings is submitted to the court with any recommendations the investigator deems appropriate.

In the case of an emergency, the courts may decide to appoint a temporary guardian to take over the individual's care until a permanent custodian can be put in place. They are sometimes required in the event that a current guardian has been removed and a new one has not yet been approved. This temporary person's responsibility usually ends within sixty to ninety days.

Conservatorships will end under certain circumstances such as the death of the guardian or the conservatee. Occasionally someone is only temporarily incapacitated and can resume responsibility for him or herself. The courts can decide a conservator should be removed or replaced, and the custodian may petition the courts to allow them to step down from the responsibility.

Hopefully you will live a long, healthy life and be able to make your own decisions. For those who are not so lucky making preparations in advance can make a huge difference.




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