Trapp v. State, Office of Public Advocacy

OPINION

MATTHEWS, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

Under Alaska law, an individual may petition the superior court to appoint a conservator with power to. manage the individual’s finances, or a guardian with a broader, quasi-parental power to promote the individual’s well-being. In cases where no private person, is willing and competent to serve, the state Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) is appointed as a conservator or guardian. OPA w;as appointed to be Susan Trapp’s conservator in 1995, pursuant to Trapp’s petition. Before and during OPA’s conserva-torship, Trapp was addicted tq drugs and alcohol, was…