How do I protect myself from a Conservatorship?

Conservatorships in Colorado are meant to handle the financial affairs of incapacitated adults, or children who have inherited significant property or other assets. However, several conservatorships forced on celebrity and high-profile adults in recent years have highlighted the issue of adult conservatorships.

Celebrities like Brittany Spears, Amanda Bynes, Casey Kasem, Mickey Rooney, and Zsa Zsa Gabor have brought to light in recent years a number of issues that can occur when a conservatorship is forced upon someone against their will, or when there is disagreement over who should be appointed to control a protected person’s financial affairs.

Conservatorships are often necessary when a person lacks the ability to name a decision-maker for them, where there are conflicts between nominated decision-makers, when there are concerns that someone is inappropriately influencing the incapacitated person, or in the case of a true emergency where a court-appointed guardian or conservator is the only way to get a decision made.

While proper estate planning can make conservatorships unnecessary in many cases, when a person lacks such planning documents and becomes incapacitated due to illness, injury, or mental state, it can be necessary to seek a court-appointed conservator.