Guardianship vs Conservatorship: Protecting the Rights of Others

When caring for a loved one becomes difficult, many families face complex decisions about guardianship and conservatorship.

This guide will clarify the differences between guardianship and conservatorship, explain the legal processes, and provide guidance on upholding rights and independence for those in need of care.

You'll learn the purposes of guardianship and conservatorship, alternatives that prioritize autonomy, and best practices for surrogate decision-making focused on your loved one's best interests.

Introduction to Guardianship and Conservatorship

Guardianship and conservatorship are legal mechanisms to protect vulnerable individuals who cannot make decisions for themselves.

Understanding Legal Guardianship and Conservatorship

A guardianship grants a guardian decision-making power over a "ward," usually a minor or incapacitated adult. The guardian has authority over the ward's personal affairs like medical care and living arrangements.

A conservatorship grants a conservator control over a "conserved person's" finances and assets. The conservator manages property, pays bills, and makes financial decisions for the conserved person.

Both arrangements require court approval. The guardian or conservator has fiduciary duties to the protected person.

Guardianship vs Conservatorship: A Comparative Analysis

Guardianships focus on personal and healthcare decisions, while conservatorships involve financial and asset management. An individual may have both a guardian and conservator.

Key similarities:

Court-supervised arrangements
Fiduciary duties to protected person
Can be terminated by court

Key differences:

Guardians have authority over medical and personal decisions
Conservators control finances and property

Both protect vulnerable individuals unable to care for themselves.

The Importance of Protecting Rights in Guardianship and Conservatorship

As guardianship and conservatorship curtail individual rights, safeguarding the rights of protected persons is vital. Conservators must act in the conserved person's best interests regarding finances. Guardians also have an obligation to consider the ward's preferences for medical treatment and living situations.

Annual accountings and status reports ensure oversight of conservators and guardians. Courts can remove appointees for breaching fiduciary duties or failing to respect rights. Monitoring helps prevent exploitation.

Navigating Legal Terminology: Guardians, Conservators, and Protected Persons

Key terminology:

Guardian: person appointed by court to make personal/medical decisions for a ward
Ward: person deemed incapacitated, protected by guardianship
Conservator: person managing finances for conserved person
Conserved person: person deemed unable to manage finances, protected by conservatorship

Accurately using legal terms is vital in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.

What are the 7 powers of conservatorship?

A limited conservatorship in California grants a conservator certain powers over an adult with disabilities. The 7 main powers are:

Consent or withhold consent for the conservatee to marry. The conservator can decide if the conservatee can legally marry or not based on their capability.
Exercise the conservatee's right to enter contracts. The conservator can enter into binding contracts on behalf of the conservatee.
Give or withhold medical consent on behalf of the conservatee. The conservator can make healthcare decisions for the conservatee if they cannot consent themselves.
Exercise or limit the conservatee's right to control social and sexual contacts and relationships. The conservator has authority over the conservatee's personal relationships.
Choose the conservatee's place of residence. The conservator decides where is the most appropriate living situation for the conservatee.
Access the conservatee’s confidential records. The conservator can access medical, psychiatric, police, financial records, etc.
Make decisions concerning the education of the conservatee. The conservator can enroll the conservatee in school/training programs.

A conservatorship aims to protect the rights and well-being of adults who cannot make certain decisions for themselves due to disabilities. The court grants only necessary powers to the conservator to avoid excessively restricting the conservatee's rights.

What is the difference between a conservator and a conservatee?

A conservator is a person appointed by the court to oversee the financial affairs and/or daily life of another adult (the conservatee) who has been legally determined to be unable to manage his or her own affairs.

The key differences between a conservator and conservatee are:

Conservator: This is the person who is appointed by the court to be responsible for managing the conservatee's finances and/or daily life. The conservator has a legal and fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the conservatee.
Conservatee: This is the adult who has been declared legally unable to manage their own finances and/or daily life. The court appoints a conservator to handle the conservatee's affairs on their behalf. The conservatee's rights are protected under the conservatorship.

In summary, the conservator takes over the management of the conservatee's affairs when the conservatee has been deemed unable to do so themselves. The conservator has legal responsibilities to act for the benefit of the conservatee.

What is the difference between a caregiver and a guardian?

A caregiver and a guardian have distinct roles when caring for someone who needs assistance. Here are some key differences:

Responsibilities

A caregiver provides day-to-day care and support for someone who needs assistance due to old age, disability, illness, or other reasons. Their duties are focused on attending to the daily needs of the care recipient.
A legal guardian has formal legal authority to make significant life decisions on behalf of the person under their guardianship if that person is deemed incapacitated or unable to make those decisions independently. Guardians have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the person.

Decision-Making Authority

A caregiver may help the care recipient make daily decisions about meals, activities, health appointments, etc. But they do not have legal authority to make major medical, financial, or other critical life decisions for the person.
A legal guardian is appointed by a court and has the legal right and responsibility to make important life decisions for the person under guardianship regarding their living situation, medical care, finances, etc.

So in essence, a caregiver assists with daily care but has limited legal decision-making power, while a legal guardian is formally authorized to make critical life decisions for someone deemed unable to make such decisions on their own.

What is the purpose of appointing a conservator?

A conservator is a person appointed by the court to manage the personal care and/or finances of an adult (called a conservatee) who is unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental limitations.

The key purposes of appointing a conservator include:

Ensuring the conservatee's basic needs are met: The conservator makes decisions about living arrangements, medical care, clothing, food, etc. to provide for the conservatee's wellbeing.
Managing the conservatee's finances: The conservator pays bills, collects income, manages investments and assets to protect the conservatee from financial harm or exploitation.
Making legal decisions: The conservator can make important legal choices about healthcare, living wills, contracts if the conservatee cannot comprehend or communicate their wishes.
Protecting vulnerable adults: The supervision of a conservator prevents the conservatee from being taken advantage of and upholds their best interests.

The conservator takes over duties the conservatee can no longer responsibly handle themselves. Appointing one safeguards the conservatee's rights and welfare when they are mentally or physically incapacitated. It is a way to care for an adult who needs assistance without completely removing their legal rights.

Guardianship of a Child in California

Temporary Guardianship in California: A Temporary Solution

Temporary guardianship in California provides a short-term custody arrangement for a child when their parents are unable to care for them. Reasons parents may need a temporary guardian include military deployment, incarceration, medical treatments, or hardships.

To establish temporary guardianship in California, petitioners must:

File the Guardianship Petition - Temporary form with the court
Undergo background checks
Provide fingerprints for Live Scan service
Complete child abuse training

If approved, temporary guardianship lasts 6 months and can be extended up to one year. Temporary guardians have limited legal rights related to healthcare and education decisions. Parents maintain all other parental rights.

Permanent Guardianship in California: Long-Term Stability

Permanent guardianship transfers custody of a child until age 18. It terminates parental rights but doesn't sever the legal relationship. Reasons parents may need permanent guardianship include:

Long-term inability to care for the child
Child's special needs better met by guardian

To obtain permanent guardianship in California:

Petition must explain why parents cannot raise child
Court must decide arrangement is in best interest of child

Permanent guardians can make decisions about healthcare, education, and welfare of the child. Parents no longer have custody but may still be obligated to provide financial support.

Filing the Legal Guardianship California Form

To file for guardianship in California, forms must be completed and submitted to the Superior Court in the county where the child lives. Key forms include:

Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor (Form GC-210)
Consent of Proposed Guardian (Form GC-211)

Supporting documents like birth certificates and declarations may also be required. There are court fees to file unless fee waiver is obtained. Forms are available online through California Courts website.

Selecting a Person for Guardianship of a Minor

Important factors when selecting a guardian for a child include:

Relationship to the child
Ability to provide stable home environment
Alignment with parents on values/beliefs
Commitment to child's wellbeing
Financial resources to support child
No criminal history

Guardians should be responsible adults the parents trust to care for the child's best interests if they're unable to do so themselves.

Legal Guardianship for Adults with Mental Illness

Guardianship can provide critical support for adults with mental illness who need assistance managing their personal, medical, or financial affairs. Establishing guardianship requires carefully assessing an individual's capacity and considering the least restrictive options.

Assessing the Need for Guardianship of an Adult

Adults with conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may experience symptoms that interfere with their ability to care for themselves or make sound decisions. A capacity assessment by a doctor or psychologist can help determine if guardianship is appropriate. The assessment evaluates the individual's:

Understanding of their health conditions and treatments
Ability to manage medications and follow treatment plans
Capacity for self-care and independent living skills
Judgement related to medical care, relationships, finances, etc.

If evidence shows the adult lacks capacity in certain areas due to their mental illness, limited guardianship may be suitable. This allows the guardian decision-making authority only in the areas where capacity is impaired.

The Role of LPS Conservatorship vs Traditional Conservatorship

In California, Lanterman–Petris–Short (LPS) conservatorships are designed for adults with the most severe mental illnesses. LPS conservatorships give the conservator control over the conservatee's placement, medical treatment, and medications. They are narrower than probate conservatorships.

Probate conservatorships (also called general conservatorships) apply to adults unable to care for their basic needs due to physical or mental disabilities. The conservator typically has broad authority over the conservatee's living situation, medical care, finances, and more.

Guardianship as an Estate Planning Tool for Adults with Mental Illness

Guardianship can be part of the estate planning process for adults with diminished mental capacity. The legal guardian can work with an estate planning attorney to address:

Healthcare and end-of-life decisions
Disability planning, special needs trusts, and government benefits
Writing or updating the person's will
Overseeing the individual's financial, legal, and business affairs
Making healthcare, living situation, and other major life decisions on the person's behalf

Establishing guardianship while the adult still has capacity can give them a voice in the process and choice of guardian.

Writing Their Wills: Considerations for Guardians of Adults with Mental Illness

A guardian of an adult with mental illness may need to write or update a will on their behalf. Key steps may include:

Petitioning the court for authorization
Working with an attorney to prepare the will
Considering the adult's previously expressed wishes and best interests
Accounting for disabilities, government aid, and healthcare decisions
Outlining guardian powers and creating oversight provisions
Having a doctor assess testamentary capacity
Following court procedures for executing and approving the will

With proper assessments and court approval, a guardian can help ensure an appropriate will is in place as part of the incapacitated adult's estate plan.

Conservatorship for Financial and Property Management

Conservatorship is a legal process where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (called a "conservator") to care for another adult who cannot care for themselves or manage their own finances due to physical or mental limitations. Establishing a conservatorship can help protect vulnerable adults from financial abuse or neglect.

Estate Planning Basics: Preparing for Conservatorship

Estate planning involves preparing for what will happen to one's assets and medical care if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. A conservatorship may become necessary if an adult did not create estate planning documents like a durable power of attorney or living will. With proper estate planning, temporary guardianships or conservatorships may be avoided.

Selecting a Conservator for Financial Decision-Making

When petitioning the court for a conservatorship, thought should be given to who will serve as conservator. This role carries major legal and ethical responsibilities. Ideal candidates demonstrate good judgment, organization, honesty, and a commitment to acting in the best interest of the conservatee. Family members or friends who fit these criteria are often selected, but professional or corporate fiduciaries are another option. Background checks may be conducted. The proposed conservator must formally accept their duties.

The Conservator's Role in Writing Their Wills and Managing Estates

A conservator may need to work with an estate planning attorney to create or update legal documents like wills and trusts for the conservatee. They have a duty to manage the conservatee's assets responsibly, which may involve paying bills, investing funds, arranging care facility payments, filing taxes, etc. Annual accountings must be provided to the court reflecting all financial transactions made on the conservatee's behalf.

The Legal Process: Filing for Conservatorship

The conservatorship legal process begins by filing a petition, along with medical evidence from one or more doctors. A court investigator will interview involved parties and submit a recommendation. A hearing is then held where the judge will either appoint the proposed conservator or request more information before making their determination. Yearly status reports are required once a conservatorship is established.

Alternatives to Guardianship and Conservatorship

Guardianship and conservatorship arrangements can be restrictive and remove an individual's rights to make their own choices. However, there are less restrictive alternatives that may meet health, financial, and other needs while preserving as much independence as possible.

Power of Attorney (POA) as an Alternative

Giving a trusted person power of attorney allows them to make medical and/or financial decisions on one's behalf, without court involvement. This option is less restrictive since the individual chooses who will represent them and what powers are granted. Requirements vary by state but POAs can cover healthcare, finances, property, or other affairs. POAs only take effect when a person becomes incapacitated. They are a cost-effective way to avoid guardianship/conservatorship if planned proactively.

Estate Planning and Last Wills as Preventative Measures

Proper estate planning and executing a last will in advance can prevent the need for guardianship or conservatorship altogether. By legally conveying one's wishes and designating decision-makers through proper documentation ahead of time, court intervention can be avoided if incapacity occurs later. Meeting with an estate planning attorney to draft essential documents like wills, trusts, and advance healthcare directives is advisable for adults of all ages and can prevent legal disputes down the road.

Supported Decision-Making: Empowering Autonomy

Supported decision-making empowers those with disabilities or diminished capacity to make choices with support from a chosen network of trusted advisors. This less restrictive option preserves self-determination and autonomy. Under support decision-making arrangements, the individual leads the process and makes final decisions after consulting their support network for guidance or assistance in understanding options.

Other Financial Tools: Trusts, Joint Accounts, and Representative Payees

If conservatorship is being considered for financial management alone, other options like trusts, joint bank accounts, or representative payees may suffice. Special needs trusts allow assets to be used for an incapacitated person's benefit while still qualifying for needs-based government benefits. Joint accounts allow a co-owner to manage finances while avoiding conservatorship. Federal benefits like SSI or SSDI can be managed by representative payees on beneficiaries' behalf. These tools may meet financial management needs without the restrictions of a full conservatorship.

Key Considerations in Surrogate Decision-Making

Upholding the Rights and Independence of the Protected Person

When appointed as a guardian or conservator, it is vital to uphold the rights and independence of the protected person to the greatest extent possible. Focus decision-making on enabling and empowering the individual, involving them in choices when feasible.

Strive to understand their values, preferences, and wishes when they were able to express them. Consult with family, friends, caregivers to gain insight into their desired quality of life.

Make person-centered decisions aligned with their interests - avoid imposing personal or institutional values. Advocate for services and supports that maximize independence while balancing safety.

Best Interest Decision-Making: Balancing Wellbeing and Autonomy

Determining another person's best interests involves carefully weighing factors related to wellbeing and autonomy. Assess physical, mental, emotional needs - also consider relationships, financial security, lifestyle, life stage, future planning.

Evaluate risks and benefits of choices. Seek least restrictive solutions that provide safety while preserving independence. For example, assisted living may enable more freedom than nursing home care.

Respect previously expressed wishes and values. Involve the person as much as possible. Explain options and gather input. Make collaborative decisions whenever feasible.

Review regularly as circumstances change. Adapt supports to optimize wellbeing and self-determination over time.

Ensuring Accountability in Guardianship and Conservatorship

Guardians and conservators must maintain accountability to the protected person and supervising court. Provide regular status reports per court requirements. Record all decision rationale, actions taken, expenditures.

Allow the protected person and other interested parties to review records. Be transparent about arrangements to enable monitoring.

Support ongoing court review, evaluation by court visitors. Flag any concerns related to the protected person’s care.

Comply with all court orders. Seek guidance on any complex or questionable situations. Uphold fiduciary duty to act in the protected person's best interests.