The Director of Veterans’ Affairs is the conservator of the estates of approximately 225 veterans, dependents and survivors of veterans. A circuit court judge appoints a conservator when evidence shows that an individual is unable to manage his or her own finances.
 
This is generally due to a disability, the symptoms of which have become quite severe. Most of our clients have disabilities such as schizophrenia, head injury, and Alzheimer’s disease that can negatively affect judgement and reasoning abilities. They are also easy targets for unscrupulous people who take advantage of them financially.
 
By controlling finances, a conservator can help preserve the estate while using income and assets to provide for the client’s shelter, medical, and personal needs. The financial assistance we provide often allows our clients to live more independently, free from the stress of budgeting and saving for the future.