Would-be conservators and people just generally interested in the role played by such persons might assume that it features quite a bit of detail and complexity.
Actual conservators in Massachusetts don’t simply suspect that. Rather, they know it to be true from experience.
We confirm that reality on our website at the estate planning Law Offices of Kimberly Butler Rainen in Andover. We note therein that that processes surrounding conservatorship “are very involved, as they take away the legal rights of the person from whom a [guardian or] conservator has been appointed.”
A Massachusetts guardian deals generally with health care and personal matters relevant to a minor or disabled/incapacitated adult. Conversely, a conservator manages finances and related affairs.
That is obviously serious business, and a court that appoints someone as a conservatorship exercises close and continuing oversight to ensure that duties are carried out lawfully and conscientiously.
As an on-point Massachusetts overview of the conservatorship role notes, an appointee has broad powers to act on behalf of a designated adult or minor, which centrally include these:
- Collecting, assessing and managing estate assets
- Overseeing property interests
- Working in tandem with a guardian (if appointed)
- Paying bills and taxes
- Executing contracts
- Dealing with any business that might require a continual focus
Although those powers are certainly impressive, they are far from absolute, with a conservator having a recurrent duty to stay in touch with the court via various filings and reports.
In sum, a conservatorship in Massachusetts is anything but a casual court appointment or a role that can be played without a steady focus and reasoned decision making. A proven guardianship/conservatorship attorney can provide assistance on every aspect relevant to the appointment.