Highlights of Public Act 07-116 - Conservatorship Reform in Connecticut

SUMMARY

• Procedural protections

  • No jurisdiction without service
  • No evidence without finding of jurisdiction
  • Hearing on the record
  • Termination and review schedules and standards

• Required consideration of factors before determination.

• No conservatorship if there is less restrictive intervention

• Limited conservatorship the norm:

  • Each duty must be explicitly ordered
  • Each duty must be limited to meet the needs of the conserved person
  • Each duty must be justified in the order
  • No sale or disposal of real or personal property, loss of tenancy or lease, move to long term care without court permission

• Deference to wishes of conserved person

  • Health Care Representative
  • Advance Directives
  • Choice of conservator

• Duties of conservator to remove obstacles to and to promote self determination and independence

Sally Zanger, Connecticut Legal Rights Project