LPS conservatorship - In the state of California, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act gives mental health care workers the right to petition the county of residence for a conservatorship when someone meets criteria for grave disability. In LA county, a person would typically be on a 5150 and a 5250 prior to being on a conservatorship.

If the 5250 has been upheld, then the health care provider can petition the county for a Temporary Conservatorship. (Or, in LA county, one applies for a 5270.15). In a Temporary Conservatorship (commonly called a T-Con) a county can appoint a conservator to make mental health care decisions for the person. Temporary conservatorships last for 30 days.

A few important things to keep in mind are:

• The Temporary Conservatorship must be applied for during the period of the 5250. There is
• There is a 72 hour grace period after the expiration of the 5250 if a Temporary Conservatorship is in process.
• To initiate a Temporary Conservatorship, the provider must prepare a letter.
• If one does not file for a Temporary Conservatorship after the expiration of a 5250, then the patient must be signed as voluntary and is free to leave.
• A person does

The following rights are taken away from someone who is conserved:

• They cannot make decisions about their mental health care. This right is transferred to the conservator.
• They cannot sign psychiatric medication consent forms because of the above.
• They no longer have the right to refuse psychiatric medications.
• They do not have the right to leave the hospital without their conservator's permission.
• They do not have the right to own firearms.

A conserved person's rights include the following (* = right may be denied if specifically set forth by the court.):

• The right to enter into legal contracts*
• The right to manage their own funds*
• The right to vote.
• The right to purchase a car.
• The right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment*

Miscellaneous information:

• A conserved person has the right to appeal the conservatorship in court every six months.
• A conservatorship does not guarantee placement into a locked facility because someone still has to foot the bill. Unfortunately, many healthcare systems do not a lot sufficient funds to pay for a patient's stay in locked facilities (usually at least $50,000 per year). In this case, patients are more or less warehoused until the conservatorship is dropped or a facility is found.