After Mediation and Investigative Services completes the investigation, a written report is prepared for the next court hearing on the matter. On some cases there is no investigation, but the matter is set for trial. A conservatorship is a court-approved transfer of rights that enables one adult to assume legal responsibility for the care and protection of another adult. Any adult who lacks the capacity or is unable to take care of his or her own needs for shelter, food, or medical care or is unable to manage personal finances, and therefore may be vulnerable to exploitation by others, and may need the protection of a conservatorship. Typically these will be frail, incapacitated elderly or developmentally disabled adults, or adults who have suffered serious illness or injury.
Conservators are usually family members or close friends.
If there is no one close to the conservatee who is able to act in his or her behalf, a professional conservator or the Public Guardian may be designated. Anyone who wants to act as someone else's conservator must file a petition with the Court that explains why a conservatorship is needed. An investigation is done by a Court Investigator who interviews the conservatee, the proposed conservator, care providers and anyone else who has information that will help the Court make an informed decision about whether a conservatorship is necessary. The investigator files a written report with the Court before the court hearing. A Court Investigator reviews the conservatorship one year after it is established and every two years thereafter.