The average age of the country’s population is increasing. As baby boomers move into retirement age and beyond, more California families are faced with the possibility of an aging relative being unable to care for him or herself. This means that the number of conservatorships could also rise, and family members may want to keep an eye on the person appointed to handle their elderly loved one’s affairs.
Conservatorships are meant to help, not to harm. However, not every conservator keeps the conservatee’s best interests in mind. In many cases, greed is a powerful motivator. If a family member discovers that monies are missing, it may be a good idea to look into what the conservator has been doing.
When the person taking care of an elderly loved one is not a professional, the extent of any background check is probably limited. The courts can only rely on the information they are given, and when that information is incomplete, someone lacking scruples could end up in charge of a family member’s affairs. In addition, court oversight is often lacking. Most of the court’s legwork is up front, and unless someone else brings something to its attention, there may be no reason to believe that everything is not running smoothly.
For this reason, it is often up to family members of conservatees to monitor conservatorships. If anything appears to be out of place, it might be worthwhile to pursue it. Even a cursory investigation may reveal that a loved one is being taken advantage of by someone who should be looking out for his or her best interests. It may help to discuss any suspicions with a California attorney who can provide advice and assistance in these matters.
Source: nextavenue.org, “Guardianship in the U.S.: Protection or Exploitation?”, Emily Gurnon, Accessed on April 24, 2018