Maine Order on Petition for Appointment of Temporary Conservator

A conservatorship is necessary for those individuals who have neither a power of attorney or healthcare directive, and have lost the ability to make informed decisions and/or care for themselves. A conservatorship may also be necessary for other reasons, such as an invalid or fraudulent power of attorney document.

Conservatorship places another person or organization in charge of an adult's financial matters or care when that adult is incapacitated and unable to manage their own affairs.Conservators are charged with acting in the best interest of their ward.

A conservatorship is a court case where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (called the conservator) to care for another adult (called the conservatee) who cannot care for himself or herself or manage his or her own finances.

A conservatorship may be established after a relative, friend, or public official petitions the court for appointment of a conservator. The petition must contain information on why the individual cannot manage his or her financial affairs or make appropriate decisions concerning his or her personal care.

How is a guardianship or conservatorship set up? Someone interested in the individual's welfare must file a petition in Superior Court, Probate Division, requesting appointment of a guardian or conservator. Once the petition is reviewed by the Probate Division and accepted for filing, a hearing is scheduled.

A temporary conservator is usually appointed for a fixed time period, usually 30 to 60 days. These conservatorships can be of the person, of the estate, or both. The main role of the temporary conservator is to ensure the temporary care, protection, and support of the conservatee.

The out-of-pocket costs to begin a conservatorship are the filing fee, which ranges from $278 to $1,176 (in 2019) depending on the amount of assets, plus the expenses for having the respondent personally served, getting certified copies from the court, etc., which are usually around $200.

Fix the residence or specific dwelling of the young adult child. Have access to the confidential records and papers of the young adult child. Control the right of the young adult child's right to enter into contracts. Give or withhold medical consent regarding the young adult child.