CT SB00976

Establishes a new audit program allowing the Probate Court Administrator to randomly select or use other criteria to audit conservator estate accounts to deter and detect fiduciary malfeasance, effective January 1, 2018.

Requires conservators to cooperate with auditors and provide access to all conservatorship records; allows courts to compel compliance and remove conservators who fail to cooperate.

Mandates auditors complete audits within 90 days and submit written reports to the Probate Court, which pays audit costs from the Probate Court Administration Fund.

Directs the Probate Court Administrator to adopt standards of practice for court-appointed conservators in consultation with the Connecticut Probate Assembly, effective July 1, 2017.

Clarifies that a conservator's failure to follow the standards of practice may be considered as evidence when determining fiduciary duty breaches but does not automatically constitute a breach.