Conservatorship Attorney in Grays Harbor County, Washington

Through conservatorship, the Washington State Court can appoint a competent adult to manage the property, legal, and financial affairs of a minor or incapacitated person. Similarly, a person dealing with alcohol addiction, drug abuse, rehab, or dependency may also seek conservatorship to help manage their affairs during their rehabilitation or recovery period. 

If you’re thinking about conservatorship for a loved one and want to know how it works, consulting with a seasoned Washington State conservatorship attorney is imperative for detailed guidance. Attorney William E. Morgan has the diligence and experience to advise and guide clients in the legal matters of adult guardianship and conservatorship. 

As your legal counsel, he can tell you about the basics and types of conservatorship and how it can help an incapacitated loved one or someone dealing with drug abuse or mental health issues. Even if you’ve been appointed as a conservator, Attorney William E. Morgan can help you understand your duties and rights and ensure that you perform your responsibilities diligently and brilliantly. 

William E. Morgan, Attorney at Law, proudly serves clients across Grays Harbor County, Washington, and surrounding areas throughout Montesano, Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Raymond, and Pacific County. 

What Is a Conservatorship?

Conservatorship is the legal arrangement whereby the court appoints a competent adult to act or make decisions regarding the property, legal, and financial affairs of a minor, incapacitated adult, or someone who needs help. In Washington State, the person appointed by the judge is referred to as the conservator. Whereas, the person who needs assistance is referred to as the conservatee. 

Types of Conservatorships

In Washington State, there are various types of conservatorship that provide legal protection and assistance to individuals in need. These include:

Full Conservatorship 

Full conservatorship is a type of conservatorship that grants the conservator the legal authority and duty to manage all of the conservatee’s financial and property affairs. The conservator with full conservatorship will be able to pay bills, manage investments, purchase or sell property, and make other financial decisions on behalf of the conservatee or incapacitated person. 

Limited Conservatorship  

A limited conservatorship grants the conservator the legal authority or duty to manage only specific aspects of the conservatee’s property or financial affairs. For example, the conservator is only allowed to sell a real property or manage a trust. 

What Are the Duties of a Conservator? 

As mentioned earlier, a conservator can be appointed by the court to manage the money and assets of a minor, incapacitated adult, or someone dealing with drug abuse or mental health issues. Here are some of their duties and responsibilities. 

Duties of a Conservator for a Drug Abuse Patient

• Oversee the healthcare, treatments, and rehabilitation and make medical decisions for the conservatee. 

• Pay for the conservatee’s medical expenses or rehab bills. 

• Prevent mismanagement or wastage of funds on alcohol, illicit drugs, or other dangerous substances. 

• Monitor purchases that the protected person makes. 

• Find a suitable rehab and make adequate arrangements for alcohol or drug abuse treatment. 

• Manage the conservatee’s property, business, and investments. 

Duties of a Conservator for an Incapacitated Adult or Mental Health Patient

The following are the responsibilities that are expected of the conservator: 

• Handle the incapacitated adult’s estate, finances, and legal affairs. 

• Manage administrative matters such as insurance, Medicare, health coverage, and pensions. 

• Promote the self-determination of the protected person.  

• Invest and manage the conservatorship estate. 

• File an annual report with the court describing the financial situation of the conservatee. 

Above all, the conservator must act in the best interests of the incapacitated adult or parent and make decisions that benefit them. 

Who Can File for a Conservatorship? 

The Washington court is responsible for appointing a conservator. However, a family member or any interested person can file a petition with the Superior Court seeking conservatorship. You can serve as a conservator if you are a spouse, adult child, parent, close relative, general guardian of sheriff, a person appointed by the incapacitated adult, or someone appointed by the court. 

How Legal Counsel Can Help

Establishing conservatorship for a minor, incapacitated adult, or someone dealing with drug abuse can involve a lot of complexities. Regardless, appointing a conservator for the person can be extremely beneficial to ensure that their property and financial affairs are in competent hands. Therefore, working with a knowledgeable conservatorship attorney is imperative for detailed guidance and to navigate crucial decisions. 

Attorney William E. Morgan has devoted his career to offering outstanding legal services and guiding clients through the complex procedures involved in establishing conservatorship. As your legal counsel, he can determine if your loved one needs a conservator and help file the conservatorship petition. In addition, Attorney William E. Morgan will collaborate with the conservator to manage the conservatee’s affairs intelligently and make decisions that are in their best interest.