Generally, conservatorships are established for people who are in comas, suffer from advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease or have other serious illnesses or injuries. Conservatorships are subject to court supervision which provides a powerful safeguard for an incapacitated adult's property. Many courts also require the conservator to seek permission before making major decisions about the conservatee's property, such as whether to sell his real estate. The paperwork can also be a hassle because, as mentioned above, the conservator must keep detailed records and file court papers on a regular basis. Occasionally, however, a conservator will mismanage a conservatee's assets.
Common abuses range from reckless handling of the conservatee's assets to outright theft.
Although each state has rules and procedures designed to prevent mishandling of assets, few have the resources to keep an eye on conservators and follow through if they spot trouble. Many cases of incompetence or abuse go unnoticed. Finally, a conservatorship can be emotionally trying for the conservatee. All court proceedings and documents are public record, which can be embarrassing for someone who values independence and privacy. Generally, payments are made to professional or public conservators, but a family member who has been appointed conservator may also seek compensation by making a request to the court.