Conservatorship
When an adult cannot care for themselves and/or manage their own finances, a court can appoint another person to take protective responsibility. This creates a “court ordered conservatorship” (also called a “probate conservatorship”) between the protected person (the conservatee) and the responsible person (the conservator). A conservatorship is a formal, legal authorization for the conservator – usually a family member, close friend, or hired professional – to make decisions for the benefit of the protected person. It restricts the conservatee’s powers over their personal care and/or financial decisions. It is particularly useful when the protected person is mentally or physically unable to understand and accept help, or is vulnerable to persons who might take financial advantage of them.
Disability Rights California has a few publications on Conservatorship, including Duties of a Conservator.
There are different types of conservatorship. Families with individuals with developmental disabilities who need conservatorship generally apply for limited conservatorship .
It can be a very intense process and is not the right choice for everyone. Other alternatives to conservatorship include:
- Supported Decision-Making: Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is when you use trusted friends, family and professionals to help you understand situations and choices in your life. It is a way to increase your independence. It encourages you and gives you the power to make decisions about your life as much as possible.
- Durable Power of Attorney: This is a legal document where you give someone you trust the legal right to make decisions for you. It is a way for you to get help with the supports and services you need to live independently. You can give someone the right to make one kind of decision, like medical or financial, or give them the right to make both kinds of decisions. In California a person is assumed competent until he is found legally incompetent, therefore a person with autism or another developmental disability would have the right to sign this form after age 18 years. You can find many of these forms online, but it will have to be notarized.
Please check with an attorney to find what works best for your family.
Local Resources
American Advocacy Group
2082 Business Center Dr Ste 235, Irvine
877-762-0702
http://www.americanadvocacygroup.com/
Assist with first-class, affordable advocacy services that benefit individuals diagnosed with developmental and physical disabilities and their families. Whether you are new to the process, or your family member has being denied a service by an agency, our goal is to take quality time to get to know you and your family, and to offer you options that will best meet your family’s needs. Provides advocacy services in the areas of: In-Home Supportive Services(IHSS), IHSS Appeals, Conservatorship, Educational Advocacy, and Due Process Representation.
Circle of Life
Corona
(951) 268-4097
http://lifeinsidethecircle.com/
Offers a number of services for the developmentally delayed population including respite and supported living services. In addition, offers conservatorship services for $1500 (about 1/3 of what attorneys can charge). Offers plans up to 4 installments. Takes approx 2-3 months to complete the limited conservatorship process.
Dignity Group – Jennings & Associates
1055 N Euclid Ave, Ontario
(909) 986- 2420
https://dignitygroup.org/
Provide families with information on entitlement programs, proper preparation of wills and trusts, conservatorships, powers of attorney, and life care plans.
Jeffrey A. Gottlieb, Esquire
www.specialeducationattorneyatlaw.com
(562) 699-2412 (LA)
(949) 419-6196 (OC)
(951) 240-5610 (IE)
Offers special education services, adoption services for special needs children, Limited Conservatorship of Special Needs Adult, family law and vendor resources.
Law Offices of Elizabeth McCoy
31493 Rancho Pueblo Road, Suite 205, Temecula
(760) 723-8906
www.ca-specialneedstrusts.com
Special Needs Trusts, Comprehensive Estate Planning for families with autism and other disabilities.
Sheela Stark Law Group, APC
9431 Haven Avenue, Suite 232, Rancho Cucamonga
1662 Plum Lane, Redlands
(909) 767-3890
https://lawyerstark.com/
Ms. Stark has been part of the special needs field in for over 20 years. Having a special needs brother gives Ms. Stark insight into your life because she has lived it herself. Services include estate planning, special needs trust, conservatorship, IEPs and Due Process.
Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino
(909)-889-7328 or 1-866-889-7328 (toll free)
www.inlandlegal.org
Family Law (Divorce, Paternity, Custody, Support), Guardianships, Conservatorships for low-income families who meet income requirements. Call for locations and more info.
Jeffery C. Nickerson, Attorney at Law
29970 Technology Drive, Suite 209, Murrieta
(951) 200-4921
www.jeffreycnickersonlaw.com
Assists individuals and families with estate planning & administration including: wills, trusts, Special needs planning, Public benefits planning, Planning for minors, Medi-Cal planning, Trust Administration, Special Needs Trust Administration, Probate Administration, Avoiding Probate and asset protection.
Dennis M. Sandoval, A Professional Law Corp.
3233 Arlington Avenue Suite 105, Riverside
(951) 787-7711
www.life-care-planning.com
Dennis M. Sandoval, A Professional Law Corporation, offers estate planning, elder law and tax law services. He is a Trust & Probate Law Specialist, Certified Elder Law Attorney and Accredited Estate Planner.
Riverside Legal Aid
http://riversidelegalaid.org/?fbclid=IwAR3XV50rzlaiMgMAJWapv1KZ6l-wHV3QPGBDADaUs3gPKKve1JPm5014kg0
Riverside Office: (951) 682-7968
Indio Office: (760) 347-9456
Provides Conservatorship and other legal services.
Special Needs Alliance
(877) 572-8472
www.specialneedsalliance.org/
National, non-profit organization that can determine availability of state and federal benefits, protect public benefits eligibility, establish Special Needs Trusts, and manage Trust benefits. Services and assistance includes wills, estate planning, conservatorship, guardianship, and more.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
