Conservator reporting system first in nation

Conservators appointed by courts to make financial decisions for adults found unable to manage their financial affairs can now complete their reports online.

The new reporting and monitoring system, which was developed and piloted by the Ramsey County Probate Court, is being rolled out statewide as part of a Judicial Branch effort to improve conservatorship oversight and reduce administrative costs.

Letters are being sent to 4,200 conservators statewide urging them to begin using the new reporting system, which can be accessed through the Judicial Branch website. Use of the new system will become mandatory Jan. 1, 2011.

The Minnesota system, called CAMPERS (Conservator Account Monitoring Preparation and Electronic Reporting System) will provide a number of benefits to courts and conservators, including:

• Deter errors and possible exploitation;
• Save conservator and court staff time and reduce paperwork;
• Allow ready identification of overdue and incomplete reports;
• Allow ready access to expense and receipt details;
• Allow analysis across all or selected groups of conservators and conservatorships;
• Improve court ability to audit accounts

Minnesota is the first state to develop a statewide conservatorship reporting and monitoring system and is being looked to as an example for other states.