Do conservatorships expire? How do people end up in conservatorships?

Conservatorships do not expire automatically. They can only be terminated by a court order, or by the death of the conservatee or the conservator.

To end a conservatorship, the conservatee or another interested party must file a petition with the court and show evidence that the conservatee no longer needs a conservator, or that a different conservator should be appointed.

The court may also require a medical evaluation or a hearing to determine if the conservatorship is still necessary and appropriate. People end up in conservatorships when they are deemed by a court to be gravely disabled and unable to meet their basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter.

This may happen when a person suffers from a serious illness, injury, or mental disorder that affects their cognitive functioning or behavior. A family member, friend, social worker, or health care provider may initiate the process of requesting a conservatorship by filing a petition with the court and providing evidence of the person’s incapacity.

The court will then appoint an investigator and an attorney to represent the person’s interests and rights. The court will also hold a hearing to decide if a conservatorship is warranted and who should be the conservator.