How to Know When a Loved One Needs a Guardian or Conservator

Caring for loved ones as they become unable to care for themselves can bring about difficult legal decisions. You may have a loved one that is no longer able to make good decisions with their health and finances. Guardianship and Conservatorship can help you provide for someone who’s incapable of managing their financial affairs or personal healthcare needs. Guardian: A person appointed by the court who has the legal authority to care for the personal interests of another person. Usually a guardian is appointed when that person is incapable of caring for his or her own interests due to incapacity or disability. Conservator: A person appointed by the courts when a person is incapable of caring for his or her own financial interests due to minority, incapacity, or disability. The Conservator has authority over the income and assets of a protected person. Your loved one needs a conservator when they are no longer able to manage their financial resources effectively due to mental or cognitive illness (including Dementia), mental retardation, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs or controlled substances, chronic intoxication, confinement, detention by a foreign power or disappearance. Your loved one needs a guardian when they lack the capacity to make adequate decisions involving their own care and safety. For more information on Guardianship and Conservatorship contact a Senior One Source Senior Living Advisor for a list of local Elder Law Attorneys www.SeniorOneSource.net