California Conservator Laws Result in License Denial

A prominent professional conservator in California has been denied a state license and is under investigation for allegations of abuse.  A recent LA Times article summarizes the situation:

The decision to deny Melodie Jo Scott a license marks a significant shift in the oversight of professional conservators, who answered only to probate judges until a 2005 Times series highlighted abuse in the field and prompted a licensing requirement that took effect in January.

Until this year, conservators, who control the healthcare and finances of adults deemed in Probate Court to be incapable of looking after themselves, were less regulated than hairdressers and guide-dog trainers. The Times series described how some were able to gain control over the lives and finances of elderly adults without their knowledge or consent, neglect their wards, isolate them from relatives, run up fees and in some cases steal from their clients.

Scott . . . has appealed the denial.

The denial was based on claims that Scott allowed a conservator to live in a client’s home rent-free and obtained a client by getting the client to sign papers the client did not understand.

See Jack Leonard and Evelyn Larrubia, Conservator Melodie Jo Scott under investigation, LA Times, Feb. 15, 2009.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.