Responsibilities

Public Administrators are appointed by the Missouri Circuit Court, Probate Division, to serve primarily on three types of cases:

• Guardian and / or Conservator for incapacitated and/or disabled persons
• Personal Representative of deceased estates
• As Conservator of Minor Estates

However the majority of appointments in any Public Administrators office will be as Guardian / Conservator for people who have been found incapacitated and / or disabled.

In all but three of Missouri’s 114 counties, Public Administrators are elected to serve four-year terms. The counties of Jackson, St. Louis and St. Charles have the charter form of government and those Public Administrators are appointed by the Circuit Judges.

Mission Statement

The primary goal of the Public Administrator’s office is to work toward improving the quality of life of persons under guardianship, while protecting the Ward’s dignity and self-respect. The Ward’s right of self-determination shall be observed whenever possible. The growth of the Ward shall be encouraged through his / her increased participation in decision making. 

The Public Administrator’s office uses the standard of informed consent when making decisions on behalf of the Ward, and follows the National Guardianship Association Code of Ethics. I, and my staff, understand that the Guardian / Conservator is required to exercise the highest degree of trust and loyalty when making decisions for the Ward / Protectee.