Woodstock Conservatorship Lawyer

Courts can grant you a Conservatorship over the finances and estate of another individual who is either incapacitated or a minor. A Conservatorship’s goal is to protect a vulnerable person, who the court refers to as the “ward.”

You must petition the court to be a Conservator for a loved one. While these proceedings are sometimes simple and straight forward, they can also lead to contention and hostile litigation.

If you have questions about Conservatorships, contact a Woodstock Conservatorship lawyer at our firm. Our experienced attorneys at Nelson Elder Care Law can walk you through the Conservatorship process and help you determine if it is the right choice for your family.

Conservatorship Versus Guardianship

As mentioned, a Conservator handles a ward’s finances and estate. On the other hand, a Guardian is responsible for making decisions regarding the ward’s living circumstances and care. You could potentially hold both roles, or a court can divide the responsibilities between two parties.

In most cases, a Conservator or Guardian will be a close family member of the ward. The powers granted to you under a Conservatorship should help your family ensure that your loved one receives proper care, and that the estate remains safe from neglect or those who may take advantage of the ward. Our Woodstock attorneys can help your family through the process of obtaining a Conservatorship.

What Does a Conservator Do?

If your loved one is unable to make their own financial decisions, serving as a Conservator can help you protect your loved one’s assets. Some tasks you must carry out as a Conservator might include:

Filing taxes on behalf of the ward
Investing for the ward’s benefit
Managing the ward’s assets
Creating a budget plan to care for the ward

The court will want to ensure that you are properly carrying out your assigned duties as a Conservator. As such, you will have to put together a report of the ward’s assets within 60 days of the appointment, and each you will have to prepare documents detailing the assets and indicating that the ward still needs a Conservator to handle their affairs.

A Conservator might need assistance with the documents that they must complete in their role. A Woodstock lawyer specializing in elder care law can help with these tasks and ensure that the Conservator properly manages the estate.

When a Conservatorship Case Leads to Litigation

Sometimes your loved one might not believe that they are incapacitated, but family and friends may feel that they are no longer able to care for themselves. You and your family may have to convince the court that the prospective ward is not competent to care for their finances.

A court may order certain tests to determine whether to appoint a Conservator in this case. It is also possible for your family to conflict over who they believe should be the Conservator for the incapacitated loved one. The ward is by nature in a vulnerable position, so having someone in charge who aims to exploit that individual could create a devastating outcome.

Your family may have to litigate the matter to ensure that the person the court appoints as the Conservator has the ward’s best interests in mind. Since these cases can become emotional and challenging, our Conservatorship lawyers in Woodstock can provide reliable guidance to help avoid potential conflicts and help you get through this process with ease.

Call Our Woodstock Conservatorship Attorneys Today

If your loved one is no longer able to manage their finances due to incapacitation, you and your family may want to consider Conservatorship. This legal tool can help you protect and care for your loved one while still allowing them some independence. Speak with a Woodstock Conservatorship lawyer at Nelson Elder Care Law to discuss your situation and begin taking steps to help your loved one.

Hear From Our Clients

“On the threshold of retirement, we finally decided to quit thinking we could self-prepare the requisite documents. We had previously had only a very simple will. We needed the necessary legal (including updated will) & health care docs but didn’t want to deal with the time & complication of legalese. Cindy made the process relatively painless. She took the time to explain and answer questions without trying to upsell services. We were done in 2 meetings plus the reading of emailed drafts. In addition to preparing the documents, Nelson Eldercare will be there when our adult children need advice on executing the plans we’ve put in place.So glad it’s behind us and would recommend Cindy and her helpful staff.”

- Bonnie

Cindy and her company treat their clients like family. Nelson’s offers clear, direct, and honest guidance in planning for your families security and future. No one wants to actively sit down and make these decisions, but Nelson’s makes this process seamless. I was so impressed with their willingness to answer all questions big or small. So glad I made the decision have them help my mom and dad and now me. You can’t go wrong with Nelson’s Elder Care Law.

- Hope

The very best elder law attorney and staff anyone could ever ask for! I have referred a number of clients to Cindy and she never disappoints. She is kind, caring, and extremely thorough in making sure everything is completed as it should be. I highly recommend Cindy for anyone needing lawyer services; she truly goes above and beyond for every client she helps and has had a huge impact in so many peoples’ lives. Thank you, Cindy and staff, for everything that you do- I’m so glad to know you!

- Kerri

I heard Cindy’s presentation at a Senior Luncheon at my church, and was very impressed. She helped my daughter and me understand many aspects of elder law. Josh has also been very helpful in my planning to enter an independent living situation . I have told many friends about them.

- Charlotte

Cindy and the Nelson Elder Care Law team are trustworthy and helpful. They are the experts in elder care law. At Leaf Cremation, we entrust our families to the care of the Nelson team when their services are needed.

- Pierce