How Long Does a Conservatorship Last?

A conservatorship is designed to essentially remain in place for the remainder of a person's life.

Though there have been some modifications to the law, there hasn't really been any modifications of the judges that decide these types of matters. The implications of this remain to be seen, but these changes are unlikely to affect most conservatorship actions because most actions do not involve a great deal of conflict—they simply involve a lot of red tape and court proceedings.

In any event, the vast majority of conservatorships continue until the conservatee's death because most conservatees suffer from irreversible conditions.

It is rare that a person placed under a conservatorship recovers because the time that it takes to establish a conservatorship is longer than most recovery periods. While it's possible for the person to recover after a conservatorship is established, it's very unlikely.

In nearly all of conservatorship cases, the reason that the conservatorship was established was because the person was in such a state that they would not recover. This is true because of the nature of the world—even if you are temporarily incapacitated—bill collectors will often work with you or family to allow the world to keep turning. When it gets to the point that you are unable to manage your bills, however, it might require a conservator if you do not otherwise have an estate plan or a viable alternative to a conservatorship.

If you believe that either you or a loved one may be in need of a conservatorship, you should consult with experienced legal counsel to understand and assess the potential options. Conservatorship proceedings are expensive and intrusive, and the decision to initiate such proceedings should not be taken lightly.

You may also be interested in: