What Is...Guardianship or Conservatorship?

by Gilbert Guide

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When a person is deemed incompetent in a court of law, their funds and property are then turned over to another person. This process is called guardianship—or in some states conservatorship. Guardianship is often granted to relatives of an elder with dementia; however, any person can ask the court for guardianship over another person.

Guardianship is not without its controversy. To be a conservator in California, all one needs is to pay the state registration fee of $385 and have a clean felony record, which needless to say has led to cases of abuse.

Posted in: Conservatorship & Guardianship, Elder Law, Glossary, Glossary, Guardianship & Conservatorship