Guardianships and Conservatorships

A guardian is a court-appointed fiduciary charged with managing a minor or disabled person’s health, safety, and welfare. A conservator is a court-appointed fiduciary charged with managing a minor or disabled person’s money and property. Guardians and conservators owe a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the minor or incapacitated ward and do so under the supervision of the probate court. For a guardian, this means protecting the ward’s personal rights by providing for his or her care, education, housing and medical needs, and making decisions for their well-being and to advance their quality of life. A conservator acts under letters of conservatorship while managing the ward’s finances. Typically, this involves opening and managing financial accounts as conservator for the ward, paying the ward’s expenses, and providing an annual accounting to the probate court. The lawyers at Woner, Reeder & Girard, P.A. can provide representation in the appointment, administration, and termination of guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.