Practice Areas

Guardianship & Conservatorship

Sometimes the unexpected happens. An accident or illness leaves someone unable to take care of personal business or make decisions. If this occurs without a Power of Attorney or other plan in place, probate court will step in and appoint a guardian or conservator.

Though their roles are somewhat similar, there are important distinctions between a guardian and a conservator. A guardian’s duties often are broad and could involve anything from deciding where a person lives to a course for medical treatment.

A conservator, on the other hand, has a more-limited role. In general, those duties involve handling financial affairs such as paying bills and managing assets. In the case of a child who receives a significant amount of money from either an inheritance or legal settlement, a conservator must be appointed.

If both a guardian and a conservator are necessary, they can be the same person though that does not have to be the case.