Public Administrator Functions
Ken Davis
Public Administrators are appointed by the Missouri Circuit Court, Probate Division, to serve primarily on three types of cases:
- Guardian and/or Conservator for mentally disabled persons.
- Personal Representative for decedent estates.
- Conservator for minor’s cases
However, the majority of appointments in any Public Administrators office will be as Guardian/Conservator for mentally disabled persons. A Public Administrator is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Guardianship
is the legal process of assisting a person, whose mental disability has caused incompetence in making decisions for herself/himself regarding personal affairs; such as place of residence and medical care. When a person has been adjudged by the Probate Court to be mentally incapacitated and incapable of making informed decisions without risk of harm, then a Guardian may be appointed. A person under guardianship is known as a Ward.
Conservatorship
deals only with the financial affairs of the individual. A Conservator may be appointed by the Probate Court when an individual does not have the capacity to manage his or her financial affairs. A person under conservatorship is known as a Protectee.
Mission
It shall be the primary responsibility of the Christian County Public Administrator to work toward improving the quality of life for persons under guardianship while protecting the ward’s dignity and self-respect. As Guardian/Conservator the highest degree of trust and loyalty shall be exercised when making decisions for the Ward/Protectee.
