Conservatorship Attorney
What Is Conservatorship?
In the state of Utah, conservatorship is a legal arrangement in which a judge appoints a responsible adult to care for another adult who cannot fully manage their affairs and finances. Some legal terms you should know pertaining to conservatorship are:
Power of attorney: Power of attorney can be appointed by the individual to another loved one to assist in their physical welfare and financial matters.
Conservatorship: A legal status designating someone, typically a family member, to manage the financial affairs of an incapacitated individual. This position is court-appointed in a full, limited, or temporary capacity.
Guardianship: A legal status designating someone to manage the everyday decisions and care, in addition to financial affairs, of an adult or minor.
While an able individual can grant a trusted loved one power of attorney, it may be impossible for some individuals to make that choice. If your loved one is unable to manage his or her own best interests, and you want to become legally responsible for these matters, an attorney can help you become a conservator or guardian instead.
Before turning to conservatorship or guardianship, there are less restrictive ways to assist those who may need help managing their affairs, like wills, trusts, and other estate planning services. Our lawyers can help you determine which course of action is best for your situation.
The Basics of Conservatorship
Conservatorship can be appointed when a person is unable to manage his or her affairs properly due to factors like:
- Mental illness
- Physical illness
- Disability
- Old age
- Confinement
- Chronic use of drugs
When an individual becomes incapacitated, conservatorship can be appointed to a trusted loved one to help them manage assets like:
- Bank accounts
- Investments
- Real estate and land
- Livestock
- Businesses
- Vehicles
The Duties of a Conservator
Being a conservator may require a significant amount of time, sensitivity, and patience when making difficult decisions on behalf of an individual. Because you are responsible for another person's assets and potentially their well-being, you must:
- Understand the powers specified in the court order
- Keep accurate records of all financial transactions
- Understand the wishes, preferences, and abilities of the conservatee
- Provide the medical, environmental, and personal needs the conservatee requires
- Follow all court orders, update the court annually on the decisions being made, and notify the court of any change of residence
Protect Your Loved One's Best Interests Contact Our Attorneys to File for Conservatorship
Don't let someone take advantage of everything your loved one has worked for—put yourself in a place where you can protect it. The conservatorship attorneys at Froerer & Miles can help you:
- Determine if guardianship or conservatorship is needed
- Determine which decisions you should make for your loved one
- Navigate the legal process of becoming a guardian or conservator
The conservatorship attorneys at our Ogden, UT, law firm are standing by to help you get the process started. Reach out to us today.
(801) 621-2690
Ogden Residents Trust Us With Their Probate Cases
"Just want to throw a big thanks to Bryce and Matthew for all their hard work and time they took during a probate case a year ago. As everyone knows probate cases are very emotional at least it was for me, they not only responded so quick every time I reached out and when I mean quick I’m talking about same day response, I’m which helped me feel more better about the case process. They have a high professionalism in what they do." Josh Shaw
Becoming a Conservator How the Process Works in Utah
The process of becoming a conservator can vary from court to court and case by case. However, this charge requires considerable compassion and competence, resulting in a relatively stringent application process that may involve:
Froerer & Miles will support you throughout the process. Our attorneys are dedicated to improving the lives of our clients and the community in which we live and work.
Becoming a conservator isn't easy, but Froerer & Miles can tell you what to expect and help you navigate the process. Before anything else, get one of our Ogden, UT, lawyers on your side.
Our Ogden, UT, Lawyers Earn High Praise
"When Judge Hall recommended that we seek legal representation for my mother's estate; we started our search to find an attorney to represent us (my brother and I). We worked with Matt and Kelly Miles to resolve issues with my mother's estate, trusts', etc. Matt and Kelly were up front on what the laws were, what could happen, etc. They listened to what we had to say, what our concerns were, they reviewed documents that we had, they did research, getting us thru several mediation sessions. We got things resolved." Julie Hoffman
