When an adult is unable to manage their own financial affairs, a conservatorship provides court-supervised authority for a trusted person to act on their behalf. Our attorneys help families establish this protection.
A conservatorship is a court-supervised arrangement in which a conservator is appointed to manage the financial affairs of an adult who lacks the capacity to do so themselves. This is distinct from guardianship, which covers personal and healthcare decisions. In many cases, families seek both a guardian and a conservator — sometimes the same person, sometimes different individuals depending on the circumstances. Our conservatorship lawyers help families understand the distinction and establish the appropriate protections.
A conservator is responsible for managing the protected person's assets, paying their bills and expenses, filing accountings with the court, and making financial decisions in the protected person's best interests. Conservators operate under court supervision and must obtain court approval for certain transactions. We help conservators understand their obligations and fulfill them correctly.
Like guardianship, the need for a conservatorship can often be avoided with proper advance planning — specifically, by establishing a durable financial power of attorney while the person still has the capacity to do so. We encourage clients to put this planning in place before it becomes urgent. When a crisis has already occurred and planning documents are not in place, we help families move through the conservatorship process as efficiently as possible.
We represent clients throughout the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and surrounding areas.
Contact our conservatorship attorneys today. We will explain what is involved and help your family put the right protections in place.