What is a conservatorship in Canada? How much does it cost to get a conservatorship in California?

A conservatorship is a legal arrangement where a court appoints another person or organization to act or make decisions for someone who needs help. The person who needs help is called the conservatee, and the person who is appointed to help is called the conservator.

A conservatorship can be of the person, of the estate, or both. A conservatorship of the estate gives the conservator the authority to manage the financial affairs of the conservatee, such as paying bills, collecting income, and investing assets.

In Canada, a conservatorship is known as a guardianship. It is a legal arrangement in which a judge appoints another person to act or make decisions for the person who needs help. The person the judge appoints is called the guardian.

The person who needs the help is the ward. In Ontario, the Substitute Decisions Act, of 1992 includes rules for some substitute decision-makers for mentally incapable adults, including attorneys acting under powers of attorney for personal care or property, guardians of property, and guardians of the person.

In California, the cost of getting a conservatorship can vary depending on the type of conservatorship and the complexity of the case. The filing fee for an initial petition for conservatorship is $465.00.

There is also a $650.00 investigation fee due upon filing. That brings the total amount of fees to $1,115.00. However, costs can start at $435.00 for a limited conservatorship.