Probate court initiatives strengthen oversight
Attorneys from the Connecticut Legal Rights Project recently opined that conservators rampantly exploit the people they are appointed to help and that probate courts are not policing the wrongdoing. We couldn’t disagree more.
Nearly 22,000 Connecticut residents need a conservator because they are unable to manage their own care or finances due to dementia, mental illness or intellectual disability. The vast majority of conservators are family members. For those who don’t have family, probate courts must ask attorneys, social workers and other professionals to take on this enormous responsibility as a public service. They are paid a fraction of their normal rates to safeguard a stranger’s life.
The probate court system has led all efforts to improve oversight of conservators. Since 2017 alone, the probate courts published legally binding standards that state the duties and ethical obligations of conservators. We launched a free online training program in Spanish and English for new conservators at www.ctprobate.gov. We also began conducting random audits of conservators. Like the IRS, we lack the resources to review every case. However, the knowledge that we might audit serves as a deterrent.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that some who are entrusted with the care of others will abuse that trust. The probate courts have a strong record of identifying problems when they arise and taking prompt corrective action, including removal of problem conservators, restoration of misappropriated funds and referral for criminal prosecution. We take every incident of misconduct seriously and use all the tools available to bring justice when a wrong has occurred.
We are proud to stand behind the thousands of family members and dedicated professionals who provide compassionate care and act with the utmost integrity.
Hon. Paul J. Knierim and Hon. Beverly K. Streit-Kefalas Judge Paul J. Knierim is probate court administrator. Beverly K. Streit-Kefalas is judge of the Milford-Orange probate court and will become probate court administrator upon Knierim’s retirement at the end of August.