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A Conservatorship is when a substitute type of

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decision-maker manages your money.

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If you only have Social Security from retirement, disability, or

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Supplemental Security Income and/or receive Medical Assistance

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you do not need a conservator.

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The person appointed by the court to be

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the conservator makes the decisions.

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This could be a family member, friend, volunteer,

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or a professional paid conservator.

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Conservators are appointed by a judge in a court hearing.

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The judge may give one, a few, or

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all available powers allowed by law,

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such as decisions about paying your bills, investing your money,

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collecting money owed to you, or managing your real estate.

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The downside of Conservatorship is that the conservator decides

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how to manage your money and whether you can have

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personal spending money, or how much you can have.

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But, if you have a job, the conservator does not control your

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employment wages unless the judge specifically grants that authority.

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And conservators can’t make decisions for anything that

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falls outside the powers granted by the judge.

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You still have rights, even if you have a conservator.

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Minnesota law called

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‘Bill of Rights for Persons Subject to Guardianship and Conservatorship' -

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you must be given a copy of these rights every year

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and reminded that you can ask a judge to

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change or end the conservatorship at any time.

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You have a right to participate in decision making

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and to share your wants and beliefs.

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Decisions by the conservator cannot violate

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your preferences and beliefs, if you make them known.

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You have the right to employment and employment services,

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to keep your wages, and to vote –

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unless otherwise restricted by the judge.

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You have the right to privacy and to spend time

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with people you choose, including visitors, social activities,

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using the phone, email and mail, and participating in social media.

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You have the right to discuss any concerns with your

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conservator and explain what you want and why.

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It helps to talk about concerns and brainstorm ways to reduce

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risks your conservator may be worried about,

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to find solutions that set appropriate boundaries.

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You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect;

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to control all aspects of your life that

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are not delegated to your conservator;

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and to receive services suited to your needs.

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A judge can limit the length of the

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conservatorship when it is appointed.

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Again, you can file a petition to change

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or end your conservatorship at any time.

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If you want the conservator to keep making

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some of your financial decisions,

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but get back some of your decision-making rights,

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you can request that of the judge as well.

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For more information, visit DisabilityHubMN.org