Promoting Good Conservators

Re “Probate Judges Cracking Down on Conservators,” Aug. 3:

I represent the Professional Fiduciary Assn. of California (PFAC), which is composed of over 200 members throughout California acting as conservators, trustees and personal representatives.

We have been actively supporting legislation attempting to set up a statewide registry as well as require private fiduciaries to meet certain ethical and professional standards and to receive continuing education. These bills also provide a system where the courts could forward meritorious complaints to the registry for inclusion to alert other courts and the public when problems are perceived.

Our association has developed and instituted a code of ethics as well as requirements of continuing education and training for our members. Membership into PFAC requires the applicant to meet certain educational levels as well as years of experience acting in a fiduciary capacity.

In any field, whether governmental or private, there will always be those not acting in a responsible manner and who may take advantage of those they are responsible to or for. Our hope is to continue lobbying for legislation to regulate the field of private fiduciaries and conservators, which in turn should minimize the risk of abuse of those we are charged with protecting.

JAMES A. MOORE

Sacramento

* Conservators are a vital part of the care of people that are unable to manage for themselves. In my business, I have been exposed to both types of conservators, private family members and professionals both with the same goals of providing total care for a person. Many friends and family do a fine job; on the other hand, some try to save part of the estate for themselves.

But aside from that, they often don’t have the expertise to provide the appropriate care for the individual that they have been put in charge of. On the other hand, a professional conservator does have the experience and knowledge of how to meet the needs of a particular person unable to care for himself.

Money is an important part of a person’s life, but the quality is more important. A dying person will ask for a good nurse to give bedside care, not caring how much that nurse costs. Most people in Orange County will agree if a person can afford something, let them have it.

LINDA MAROVICH

Mission Viejo