Missouri Association of Public Administrators

The Public Administrator's Office was actually established in 1880 by the General Assembly, State of Missouri, as an elective office, such election to be held every four years. The Office follows the statues in the Probate Code, to carryout the duties and responsibilities of the office. The Association of Public Administrators was later established in March, 1981.

The Missouri Association of Public Administrators is made up of the County Public Administrators from each county in Missouri. These are elected positions except for Jackson County, St Charles County and the City of St Louis. The elected offices are up for election every four years.

Public Administrators serve as court appointed Personal Representatives in decedent's estates, and as guardians and/or conservators for individuals who are unable to care for themselves or their property when there is no one else to serve.

MAPA is also an advocacy group for the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, individuals with brain injury, and advanced age individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's. Many from our association serve on boards or advocate for NAMI, Department of Mental health, Brain Injury Association, and various legislative committees, working for the good of our clients.

GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP IN MISSOURI

          Guardianship and Conservatorship is a legal process used when a person can no longer make safe and/or sound decisions about his or her person and/or property and may fall victim to fraud or improper influence.

          Petitioning for Guardianship will remove individual rights, and it should only be considered after other alternatives to guardianship have been explored and proven to be ineffective.

          A Guardian is a person appointed by a court to manage the affairs of another, called a ward. The Conservator is appointed by a court to manage the estate of another called a protectee. Often the same person serves as both the guardian and conservator.