Court Oversight
Conservators and changes to conservatorships must be approved by the court. However, AB 1663 lets the disabled adult and their support network make changes without the need for extensive court oversight.
In-Built Protections
Under most circumstances, conservatorships are managed by a single, court-appointed conservator. In supported decision-making, incapacitated adults may seek help from multiple supporters who may offer assistance in different ways. For example, one supporter might help with money, while another might help navigate social relationships or employment.
Assessments
Conservatorships are usually approved and configured in accordance with specific diagnostic criteria. The court may, for example, consider a ward’s IQ and determine what they can and cannot do independently. However, in supported decision-making, the disabled adult has the opportunity to discuss their individual strengths and needs with their supporters. AB 1663 recognizes that incapacitated adults may have differing needs over the course of their lifetime and permits them to change the arrangement as needed.
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