Guardianship And Conservatorships

During the last 37 years, our partners has helped over 1,000 clients establish guardianships and conservatorships for their loved ones. His cases often involve individuals who are determined by the court to be legally incapacitated as a result of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or brain injury.

Guardianships: Making Personal Decisions

Guardianship is a court-ordered arrangement in which a guardian is appointed to make important personal decisions on behalf of an incapacitated person – the ward. The authority of the guardian includes:

• • The power to determine where the ward will live
  • The duty to provide for the ward’s care, comfort, and maintenance needs including food, shelter, health care and recreation requirements
  • The duty to take care of the ward’s personal property
  • The power to give consent for the ward to receive medical care
  • The duty and power to exercise supervisory authority
  • In cases where no conservatorship has been established, the power to approve contracts and seek government benefits on behalf of the ward

A guardianship is a unique tool that allows you to take care of your loved ones and their property in a way that is safe and secure.

Conservatorships: Making Financial Decisions

Conservatorship is a court-ordered arrangement in which a conservator is appointed to make important financial decisions on behalf of an incapacitated person – the person subject to conservatorship. The authority of the conservator includes:

• • The duty to pay (out of the assets of the person subject to conservatorship) the reasonable expenses for the support, care and education of the person subject to conservatorship
  • The duty to pay (out of the assets of the person subject to conservatorship) the lawful debts of the person subject to conservatorship
  • The duty to prudently collect and safeguard the assets of the person subject to conservatorship and invest funds not required for ongoing needs
  • The power to approve or withhold approval of contracts
  • The power to apply for governmental assistance on behalf of the person subject to conservatorship

We can help you determine if a conservatorship is appropriate your loved one.

Helping You Through The Court Process

We assist clients with every aspect of guardianship and conservatorship proceedings including:

• • The initial guardianship and conservatorship petition hearing
  • The ongoing representation of guardians and conservators after their appointment, including day-to-day advice about the responsibilities of the position
  • Assistance with the sale of the real estate of the person subject to conservatorship
  • Assistance with annual accountings of the assets of the person subject to conservatorship as required by Minnesota law
  • Counseling guardians regarding medical procedures including electroconvulsive therapy, psychotropic medication and sterilization
  • Counseling guardians regarding end-of-life decision making

Experience You Can Trust To Help Protect Your Loved Ones

We have represented petitioners, family members, guardians, conservators, wards and persons subject to conservatorship in hundreds of guardianship/conservatorship proceedings. In recognition of our knowledge and skill in the area of guardianship/conservatorship law, our lawyers have served as President of the Minnesota Association of Guardianship and Conservatorship (MAGiC) and continue to serve on its Board of Directors. Contact us at 612-922-2260 or online to discuss your case. 

“Decades of experience”

As a client, it gives me peace of mind to know Dan has decades of experience helping clients with their guardianships and conservatorships. His guidance has been priceless.

—Dan L.
Minneapolis, MN