Who qualifies for conservatorship in California? Does conservatorship end at death in California?

There are different types of conservatorship in California, depending on the needs and circumstances of the person who needs help. For example, there are mental health conservatorships for people who are gravely disabled due to a mental health disorder, and probate conservatorships for people who are unable to care for their own physical health or finances.

One type of probate conservatorship is a limited conservatorship, which is designed for adults with developmental disabilities who need assistance in certain areas of life, such as making medical decisions, managing money, or choosing where to live.

A limited conservator only has the powers that the judge grants them, based on the needs of the person with a disability. To start a limited conservatorship, you need to file several forms with the court, notify the person with a disability and their relatives, and go through an investigation by a court investigator or a regional center.

You also need to pay a filing fee, unless you qualify for a fee waiver. You can find more information and resources on how to start a limited conservatorship on the California Courts website.

A conservatorship usually lasts until the person who needs help dies or no longer needs a conservator. However, there are some situations where a conservatorship may end before that.

For example, if the person regains their ability to care for themselves or their finances, or if the conservator resigns or is removed by the court. In any case, the conservator must notify the court and file a final report and accounting.