Office Responsibilities
The Public Guardian-Conservator serves as conservator of a person and/or estate of individuals needing protective intervention. The two types of conservatorship, Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) and probate, can only be established by order of the superior court. As probate conservator, Public Guardians are involved in all aspects of their clients’ lives, including financial management, housing, medical care, placement, and advocacy. As LPS conservator, Public Conservators are responsible for directing the mental health treatment and placement of their clients. Referrals for probate conservatorship usually come from another community agency, institution, or physician. Referrals for LPS conservatorship can only come from a psychiatrist who is affiliated with a Short-Doyle hospital.