New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) members testified before the Assembly Aging and Senior Services Commission on a package of guardianship and conservatorship bills that urges stronger protections for alleged incapacitated persons and proposed conservatees. NJSBA Elder and Disability Law Section Chair Mark R. Friedman, Sharon Rivenson Mark and Shana Siegal all testified urging amendments to these bills, signaling concerns that the changes may negatively impact the retention of qualified guardians and conservators to handle such matters.
“As practitioners, we see the need to encourage ethical, knowledgeable and capable guardians and conservators,” the NJSBA said in a letter to Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, who sponsored the bills. “While they are duty-bound to act in the best interests of the alleged incapacitated person or conservatee, increasing the burdens on them could chill the already dwindling pool of individuals and counsel available to protect these individuals.”
