When a loved one cannot make decisions about legal or financial matters, you may need a strategy to protect them and take care of their needs. Adult conservatorship in Covina allows individuals to step up on behalf of a loved one and provide the assistance they need.
By working with a lawyer, you can better understand what conservatorship entails and what responsibilities you will need to take on. Call Amity Law Group today to speak with an experienced conservatorship attorney.
Understanding Adult Conservatorship
A Covina adult conservatorship allows someone to take guardianship of another adult. It is often used to help families care for elderly or disabled individuals who cannot make their own legal decisions for themselves or who need more assistance with basic legal or financial tasks.
The conservator will have specific authority over key areas of an individual’s life, including the ability to make legal, financial, or health decisions on their behalf. Conservatorship focuses heavily on the conservatee’s needs, including the support and assistance they need to navigate life successfully.
Types of Conservatorship
When the decision is made to appoint a conservator, the courts will look at the areas of support required to determine what authority needs to be handed over to another party. Common types of conservatorship include the following:
General
General conservatorship includes authority over all elements of the conservatee’s life, including health and legal decisions.
Estate
Conservatorship of the estate is the authority to pay bills, make financial decisions, and access bank accounts.
Physical
Physical conservatorship is the authority to make health-related or life-related decisions, such as where an individual lives or what type of health care is chosen.
Limited
In the case of some adults with mental disabilities, conservators may have limited rights to make key decisions based on the conservatee’s mental capacity and ability to work through key scenarios or navigate specific situations.
Conservatorship can be assigned on a short-term, temporary, or permanent basis. Short-term conservatorship is intended to address immediate needs, such as illness or an accident. Temporary conservatorship focuses on a temporary need and is lifted when that situation ends.
However, a permanent conservatorship lasts the conservatee’s lifetime. It is only lifted if significant changes in life circumstances occur or the conservator can no longer make decisions on behalf of the other party.
The Responsibilities of a Conservator
Adult conservatorship in Covina carries several essential responsibilities. Most notably, conservators must make decisions in the best interests of the conservatee, regardless of what might better reflect their personal interests. Financial conservators must ensure that the conservatee’s bills are paid and that they have the funds necessary to meet their own spending needs.
Physical conservators must ensure that the conservatee is in a safe living situation, receives needed health care based on their best interests, and receives the care they need for daily life. In addition, conservators cannot use the conservatee’s assets for their own needs.
Discuss Adult Conservatorship in Covina with a Lawyer Today
If you need to become a conservator, remember that you are not alone. Contact a dedicated guardianship attorney for support today.
Adult conservatorship in Covina can be complex, but a lawyer could guide you through the process, ensuring you understand your responsibilities and the steps to take. Get in touch with Amity Law Group, LLP, today to learn more.