The conservator question, as I remember reading in the recent past, had this angle: Ms. Mitchell has a considerable estate to be managed, and yet she is not connected with blood relatives who could respond and support her in a time of need or emergency. Yes, we know there was a reunion with the adult child that she gave up for adoption. But in terms of an ongoing relationship with a blood relative, or with a spouse -- much less a parent-child, donor-heir relationship -- that simply wasn't there. An alternative had to be put in place.