Estate Planning Lawyer in Washington: Understanding Conservatorships

Estate planning in Washington is much more than figuring out the distribution of assets to beneficiaries but can be a means to protect yourself and your children when you can no longer do so. One way you can protect yourself or any children is through the creation of a comprehensive estate plan that can help you avoid the need for a conservatorship.

At Sound Legal Solutions, our estate planning attorney in Washington will ask the right questions so that a comprehensive estate plan can be created. To do so, we help you understand what conservatorships are, how they are used, and what their effects are so that you can make informed decisions. Contact us online or at 425-977-9971 for a free consultation to learn more about estate planning generally and conservatorships specifically.

What Constitutes a Conservatorship in Washington?

Conservatorship is a process a court uses to grant someone (the conservator) legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person (the conservatee or ward––depending on your jurisdiction) regarding finances and personal care or to manage the conservatee's estate. The term, however, is confusing because it is used for multiple purposes and different states substitute it with the term guardian, which is a term more often used when speaking of minor children.

There are two basic types of conservatorships: (1) limited; and (2) general conservatorships.

Limited Conservatorship

A limited conservatorship is created for a person who has a disability like autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or other developmental disability and has had it prior to their 18th birthday. These conservatorships are “limited” because they require less supervision and care than conservatees of a general conservatorship. Conservatees of limited conservatorships require less supervision because they are able to maintain a certain level of care on their own.

In these situations, parents should really consider a will that appoints a guardian for a minor child and a conservator for an adult child (which is sometimes referred to as adult guardianship––depending on your jurisdiction). When you die, and your child is still a minor, you want to make sure the person caring for that person (if the other parent is deceased as well or otherwise unable to care for the child) is someone you both trust. Plus, through an estate plan, you can do other things, like setting up a trust that will help ensure your child (whether a minor or adult) is financially secure for as long as the trust allows. Plus, if drafted right, an estate plan can also make sure your child benefits from public assistance in addition to trust funds.

General Conservatorship

A general conservatorship is created when an adult (typically an elderly person but can be a younger adult person) cannot manage their finances or health due to deteriorated mental capacity or impairment caused by an illness or injury. While they recover from the illness or injury, a conservator may be appointed by a court to address their medical and financial needs. If you think you are too young to have a conservatorship affect you, then think of this famous case: Britney Spears and her father.

Examples of when a general conservatorship may be needed include but are not limited to the person (conservatee or ward), regardless of age:

falls into a coma due to an injury or illness
develops a neurological disease, like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or dementia
suffers from a physical trauma––like a head injury, a fall, or a stroke––that impairs their ability to think or express their wishes
suffers from any other type of mental or physical incapacitation, even if for a short period

One word of caution: People who suffer from any of the above can become vulnerable to bad actors who may try to manipulate the situation for their own financial gain. These bad actors may, for example, attempt to divert your disability payments (fraud) or coerce you into changing a will (undue influence). Here, think of Britney Spears again and the allegations against her family misusing the conservatorship for their financial gain.

This is why it is ever-important to draft an estate plan as soon as you can regardless of your age or job because when it comes to your children or your own health, it's nice to know someone you trust is taking care of matters for you while you can not.

To avoid a court-appointed conservator when or if you become ill or incapacitated in some way, you should ensure your estate plan includes things like a living will or durable power of attorney. What type of document you have will depend on your life circumstances, so speaking with an estate planning attorney in Washington is important.

The Role of Conservators in Washington

A conservator or adult guardian has the power to make important decisions on their conservatee's or ward's behalf. Some common duties they may be permitted to undertake include:

Changing legal rights, generally
Fixing the conservatee's residence or dwelling
Accessing the conservatee's confidential records
Consenting or withholding consent to marriage
Entering into contracts on behalf of the conservatee
Giving or withholding medical consent on behalf of the conservatee
Selecting the conservatee's relationships
Make decisions to educate the conservatee

Of course, not all of the above duties will apply to each individual case. In fact, the specific powers of a conservator can be limited. Moreover, a person may have a different conservator for each separate issue. For example, one person may have a conservator to specifically handle financial matters (also known as a conservator of the estate), and another conservator to address health care and other personal matters (also known as a conservator of the person).

Appointments of Conservators in Washington

Conservators are appointed by a court. The exact process for becoming a conservator depends first on the procedures set out by the specific court overseeing the process. Unique circumstances also impact how a conservatorship materializes: are you the one seeking to become a conservator or are you the one who needs a conservator?

In the first instance, you would file a petition with the court. The filing must be served on the potential ward, called the respondent, and must set forth why the respondent's condition results in the inability to make important decisions. A hearing will be held, and the judge will examine the evidence and make a decision.

In the second instance, absent a pending petition, and in lieu of a family member, living will, or another relevant document, the court will appoint a conservator. The conservator can be any number of people, like a:

Friend
Social worker
Neighbor
Church member
Attorney
Nurse
Another qualified person.

The court takes these matters seriously and will attempt to award the conservatorship to the best person, but that person may not always be available.

Pros and Cons of Conservatorships in Washington

To better understand the impact of conservatorships, it can be useful to look at what the benefits and downsides are.

Possible Advantages of Conservatorships

Protection for vulnerable individuals: Conservatorships can provide protection for individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs due to physical or mental incapacity, such as the elderly, disabled, or those with serious mental illnesses.
Access to medical care: A conservator can make medical decisions on behalf of the individual, ensuring that they receive proper medical care and treatment.
Financial management: A conservator can manage the individual's financial affairs, pay bills, and protect their assets from financial exploitation or mismanagement.
Legal authority: A conservator has legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the individual, which can provide clarity and consistency in decision-making.

Possible Disadvantages of Conservatorships

Loss of autonomy: A conservatorship can result in the loss of autonomy and control over one's personal and financial affairs.
High cost: Conservatorships can be expensive, as legal fees and court costs can add up quickly.
Stigma: Conservatorships can carry a stigma of incompetence or incapacity, which can be stigmatizing for the individual.
Potential for abuse: There is potential for abuse by the conservator, who may take advantage of their position of power and control over the individual's affairs.

Conservatorships can provide valuable protection and support for vulnerable individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs. However, it is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine whether you want to take steps via an estate plan to avoid a conservatorship. The potential for abuse is the most concerning part, and recent high-profile cases underscore how damaging and serious the abuse can be.

Can a Conservatorship be Contested or Terminated in Washington?

A petition requesting the court to award a conservatorship over you or someone you love can be contested. When the petition is filed and served, you can respond, contesting it. Also, to prevent a specific person from being appointed as a conservator, you can file competing petitions. The rules vary according to jurisdictions, so speaking with an attorney is your best way to avoid delays and errors in the process.

As for termination, conservatorships are typically made as a permanent arrangement. They are terminated upon the conservatee's death or recovery from the illness or injury that had incapacitated them.

There are times, too, when a court will remove a conservator when cause is found (like abuse). That said, simply because the conservator is removed does not remove the conservatorship. Another conservator will be appointed unless the reason for the conservatorship no longer exists.

Alternatives to Conservatorships

If you want to avoid a conservatorship situation, there are alternatives.

A living will, also referred to as an advance directive, is a legal document that outlines what is to be done if you are incapacitated due to a disease, injury, or old age and can no longer communicate your wishes or manage your affairs.

A power of attorney (POA) is another option. A medical POA designates an agent to make health care decisions when you are temporarily or permanently unable to do so. A durable POA does the same but is indefinite, and the person granting the POA authority can revoke it.

Trusts are another option, especially revocable trusts or special needs trusts.

The best alternative to a conservatorship will depend on the person and the circumstances. Speaking to an attorney to discuss these things is an important way to identify and create a comprehensive estate plan.

Contact an Estate Planning Attorney to Understand Conservatorships in Washington

Conservatorships are serious, and the conservatee can lose control of some or all of their financial, medical, and personal matters. Speaking to an attorney to determine what makes sense in your unique situation is critical. At Sound Legal Solutions, our estate planning attorney will address your concerns and guide you through the process. Contact us online or at 425-977-9971 to schedule a free consultation.