Conservatorships

A conservatorship is a protective court proceeding to appoint an individual (the conservator) to manage the health care and/or financial matters of an adult found to lack the legal capacity to care for themselves (the conservatee). The court may appoint a conservator of the person to manage the personal care of a person who cannot properly provide for his or her personal needs for physical health, medical care, food, clothing, or shelter. The court may also appoint a conservator of the estate to manage the financial affairs of a person who is substantially unable to manage his or her own financial resources or to resist fraud or undue influence. The same person may act as both conservator of the person and conservator of the estate. Oftentimes, a family member may wish to act as a conservator for an elderly relative.

A limited conservatorship may be established for developmentally disabled adults. Usually, developmentally disabled adults can do many things that a conservatee cannot. Thus, the court limits the powers of the conservator to protecting the conservatee's health, welfare and safety to the extent necessary while reserving to the limited conservatee any civil rights that he or she can possibly manage without the conservatorship.

Establishing a conservatorship can be confusing and time-consuming. The attorneys at Lonich & Patton can guide you through the process of petitioning the court to be appointed as conservator of your loved one. Contact our office today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

Where We Practice

Lonich & Patton, LLP handles matters for clients in northern California, especially San Jose and Silicon Valley. Our services are available to anyone within the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. For a full listing of areas where we practice, please click here.