Establishing a conservatorship can be beneficial, protecting vulnerable adults who cannot make decisions or care for themselves properly. This setup can allow family members or other appointed parties to step in and support those in need. Still, it can be highly restrictive and intrusive, especially for people who still have decision-making abilities despite their impairments.
In these scenarios, conservatorship might be inappropriate. Fortunately, there are alternative arrangements that can provide the same benefits with less limitations, such as the following:
- Regular check-ins with social services — When someone can function independently but lives with disabilities or special needs, reaching out to social services can help. The agency can assign someone to visit the individual regularly to check their condition and provide help as needed.
- Drafting advance health directives — These are legally enforceable documents that contain an individual’s preferences when they cannot express them in medical emergencies.
- Creating a power of attorney — This document allows someone to appoint another person or attorney-in-fact to aid with specific needs, such as tasks related to finances or personal decision-making.
- Establishing financial arrangements — Joint bank accounts or participating in money management programs can help people with disabilities or impairments pay bills, write checks, make deposits and perform other tasks that can be difficult for them.
Other options can be viable depending on the individual’s needs.
Knowing when a conservatorship is necessary
Whether due to disabilities or age, adults can require help of varying degrees. Despite being a last resort, a conservatorship can still be an option when other approaches are not enough to address the person’s needs. When in doubt, consider seeking legal counsel to help determine whether getting a conservator is appropriate based on the situation.