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CONSERVATOR OF ESTATE / CONSERVATOR OF PERSON / COURT VISITOR PROGRAM
The following is excerpted from the website for the Connecticut State Judicial Branch Probate Court, (http://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/GuidelinesConservators.pdf), and the Connecticut Department of Social Services, A Guide to Services for Senior Citizens of Connecticut (www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/PDFs/Seniors.pdf); and the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Elderly Services Manuel 2000.
WHAT IS A CONSERVATOR?
- A conservator is a person appointed by the probate court to oversee the financial or personal affairs of an adult who has been determined to be incapable of managing his or her own affairs.
- There are two basic types of conservators. A Conservator of Estate provides supervision of the financial affairs of an adult who cannot manage his or her own affairs to the extent that property will be wasted unless management is provided.
- A Conservator of Person provides supervision of the personal affairs of an individual including substitute decision making to ensure that the respondent (the conserved person) has nutritious meals, clothing, safe and adequate housing, personal hygiene, and is protected from physical abuse or harm.
WHO IS CONSERVED?
- Anyone considered by the probate court to be incapable of managing his or her own affairs, such as an older adult with dementia or an adult with severe mental illness, may become a conserved person.
- Guardians rather than conservators care for minors and persons with mental retardation.
HOW ARE CONSERVATORSHIP PROCEEDINGS STARTED?
- An application for Appointment of Conservator may be filed with the probate court by anyone for any other person alleged to be incapable of managing his or her own affairs.
WHO MAY BECOME A CONSERVATOR?
- It is the petitioner’s responsibility to suggest an appropriate conservator, but the probate court determines whom to appoint as conservator by considering the best interests of the person.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Social Services may be appointed Conservator for an elderly person (age 60+) under the following conditions:
- The elderly person has been found to be incapable of managing his/her own affairs by the probate court;
- He or she has liquid assets that do not exceed $1,500, excluding burial insurance up to $1,500, at the time of appointment;
- And, no other suitable conservator can be found. (DSS does not accept voluntary appointment of conservators.)
COURT VISITOR AND CONSERVATOR PROGRAM
- In Connecticut, the Court Visitor/Conservator of the Person program (CV/CP Program) has been developed to assist people who need a conservator, but have no family or friends to serve in that capacity.
- The program has two tiers, or levels, with Court Visitors providing services at one level and Conservators of the Person providing services at another level.
- Court Visitors visit with elderly persons.
- Court Visitors are provided training and assigned to visit seniors living independently in private homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.
- The Court Visitor reports on a regular basis to his or her elderly "friend’s" Conservator of the Person.
- The Conservator of the Person supervises the elderly person’s personal affairs, including arranging for medical needs and ensuring that he or she has proper and adequate housing, food, clothing, and personal care, and is protected from physical abuse.
- Conservators of Person undergo extensive training from the probate court administration, and usually serve three to six elderly people with infirmities.
MORE INFORMATION
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
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SOURCES: Conn. Dept. of Social Services: A Guide to Services for Senior Citizens of Connecticut; Conn. Dept. of Social Services: Elderly Services Manuel 2000
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: March2008
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