Guardianships & Conservatorships
A person who is incapacitated and unable to care for their person or property due to physical or mental infirmity or being underage may need a guardian, a conservator, or both. Guardians and conservators are court-appointed decision makers who help the incapacitated person handle their health care, legal, financial, and personal affairs.
Through the power granted by the court, guardians and conservators have the authority to make decisions on the incapacitated person's behalf. This authority can be through a general plenary guardianship, or through a limited guardianship or conservatorship. Whatever the result, the order must be the least restrictive intervention available. Guardianship and conservatorships can be especially important for families with mentally ill loved ones.
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Guardianships
are the appointments by a court of an individual or entity to provide care and to make personal decisions for a minor or an incapacitated adult.
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Conservatorships
are a court appointment of an individual or entity to manage the financial affairs of a minor or an incapacitated adult.
GUARDIANSHIP
A guardianship is the appointment by a court of an individual or entity to provide care and to make personal decisions for a minor or an incapacitated adult, called the ward. Generally, a guardianship is appointed because the ward cannot make or communicate reasonable decisions for themselves due to mental or physical incapacity, or because the ward is a minor. A guardian handles personal and medical decision-making for the ward. Typically, this includes decisions about living arrangements, social activities, and medical or other professional advice, care, and treatment.
Conservatorship
A conservatorship is a court appointment of an individual or entity to manage the financial affairs of a minor or an incapacitated adult who is incapable of managing their own property or financial matters. The person for whom a conservator is appointed is called a protected person.
