Guardians & Conservators
by: Developed from materials provided by Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc.
The Basics
Who is a guardian or conservator?
A guardian is someone chosen by
the court to care for the personal well-being of another person.
A conservator is someone chosen by
the court to care for the property of another person. The property
cared for by a conservator is called "the estate."
The same person can be appointed (appointed is
another word for chosen) as guardian and conservator.
The person protected by a guardian or conservator
is called a ward.
When is a guardian or conservator needed?
A guardian and/or conservator is appointed to
make choices for a person who is over 18. This person must be unable
to make choices for themselves.
A guardian and/or conservator may be chosen to
make decisions for minors (less than 18 years of age) whose parents
cannot do so.
What must a guardian do?
The guardian must file a report with the court
about the ward’s physical condition. The report must tell the court
what things the guardian has done to help the ward.
The report must be filed within 6 months of
appointment and on a yearly basis after that.
What else does the guardian have to do?
The guardian must
1. Care for the ward’s personal property;
2. Care for the education and support of the ward;
3. Make sure that the ward’s extra funds aren't wasted;
4. Collect debts owed to the ward; 5. Get medical
and other care for the ward;
A guardian can also consent to the marriage or
adoption of the ward.
A guardian does not have to use his/her own
money to support the ward.
What must a conservator do?
Becuase a conservator cares for property, the
duties of a conservator are different than those of a guardian
The conservator must file an inventory (list) of
all the ward’s property with the court.
The list must be filed within 90 days of the
conservator being appointed by the court.
The list must be filed once a year after the
first report is filed.
What else must a conservator do?
A conservator must care for the ward’s estate
(property) by:
1. Collecting the ward’s income and assets;
2. Investing the ward’s estate prudently;
3. Dealing with lawsuit or debts against the
ward’s estate;
4. Using the ward’s estate for education, care and
support of the ward;
5. Collecting debts owed to the ward;
6. Anything else the law says must happen.
A conservator is not required to use
his/her own funds to support the ward.
Wyoming Legal Services Janet
Millard, Director P.O. Box 1160 Lander, WY 82520 (307)
332-6626 or 1-800-442-6170
The Wyoming Guardianship Corporation
at
Wyoming Guardianship Corporation Sue
Mydland, R.G., Director P.O. Box 2778 Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307)
635-8422 smydland@msn.com
Last Reviewed On: 08/14/04
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