Limited Conservatorships

Help your disabled child to live as idenpendantly as possible as an adult

Conservatorship is the legal process by which someone is appointed by a court to act in the stead of a person who does not have the capacity to manage their own affairs. That may be a conservator of the person, who makes decisions regarding residence, health care, etc., a conservator of the estate who controls the conservatee’s assets or one conservator who fills both roles.

Commonly Asked Questions

3-5 months before the conservatee’s 18th birthday

  • It is still possible to get a limited conservatorship after the child’s 18th birthday but it’s not recommended

  • the process usually takes 3-6 months

When to get a limited conservatorship?

Parents, siblings, relatives, guardians

  • very few limitations on being conservator

  • 18 yrs old

  • pass court - sponsored background check

  • consent + notice/opportunity to be heard by those parents + grandparents of conservate

  • if you have a question, setup a time to come have your questions answered

Who can be a limited conservator?

5 standard powers

  • Fix residence or dwelling for conservate

  • Access confidential medical records

  • Consent or withhold consent to many or enter a domestic partnership

  • Limit Right to contract

  • Authority to make medical decisions and consent to/withhold treatment for conservate

What does a L.C. authorize the conservator to do for the conservatee?

  • SARC is one of the 21 regional centers in California, it includes the areas of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz

  • The Santa Andreas Regional Center is an organization devoted to helping caretakers provide for those with disabilities

  • You have to be a member of SARC to get a limited conservatorship

  • Contact SARC: Home | SARC

What is a SARC (San Andreas Regional Center)?

A more detailed explanation of a limited conservatorship:

A limited conservatorship is a specialized conservatorship for people with developmental disabilities, such as down syndrome, autism and other developmental delays. One or many family members or friends over 18 can be appointed by a court to make decisions for that disabled child when they’re an adult.

Caring for a loved one with a disability is challenging, when a child with disabilities turns 18 and becomes an adult, an entirely new set of challenges present themselves.

  • Who will protect my child from predatory financial scams?

  • Who will continue to make medical decisions for my child when they’re an adult?

  • Who will be responsible for making sure they have a safe place to live as an adult?

A limited conservatorship helps solve this new set of problems for your child.