Montana Order Appointing Temporary Co-Conservators and Order to Show Cause

Guardianship Versus Conservatorship What Is the Difference?A guardian of the person is responsible for decisions about care provisions and living arrangements of the ward. A guardian of the estate, also known as a conservator, is charged with the ward's property and financial affairs.

When comparing the difference between power of attorney and conservatorship, keep in mind that a person creates a power of attorney before a person they are incapacitated. In contrast, a conservatorship is formed after a person is no longer able to competently make critical financial decisions on his or her own.

A conservator is a person appointed by the probate court to oversee the financial or personal affairs of an adult who is determined to be incapable of managing his or her own affairs or unable to care for himself or herself.

A conservatorship is a court case where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (called the conservator) to care for another adult (called the conservatee) who cannot care for himself or herself or manage his or her own finances.

A conservatorship may be established after a relative, friend, or public official petitions the court for appointment of a conservator. The petition must contain information on why the individual cannot manage his or her financial affairs or make appropriate decisions concerning his or her personal care.

The conservator has the power to collect all the conservatee's assets, pay bills, make investments, etc. The conservator must seek court supervision for major transactions, such as purchase or sale of property, borrowing money, or gifting of assets.

A conservatorship is necessary for those individuals who have neither a power of attorney or healthcare directive, and have lost the ability to make informed decisions and/or care for themselves. A conservatorship may also be necessary for other reasons, such as an invalid or fraudulent power of attorney document.

A temporary conservator is usually appointed for a fixed time period, usually 30 to 60 days. These conservatorships can be of the person, of the estate, or both. The main role of the temporary conservator is to ensure the temporary care, protection, and support of the conservatee.