What is the difference between guardianship and conservatorship?

The difference between guardianship and conservatorship in Washington is that a guardianship involves giving someone the legal right to make decisions for another person who is incapacitated or a minor. A conservatorship involves someone being appointed by a court to oversee the financial decisions of another person who is unable to care for themselves. In a guardianship arrangement, the person appointed as the guardian is known as the “guardian of the person” and is responsible for making decisions about the daily care, medical treatment, education, and other personal matters for the ward, such as legal guardianship of a minor or an incapacitated adult. In a conservatorship, the person appointed as the conservator is known as the “conservator of the estate” and is responsible for making financial decisions for the conservatee, such as managing their assets, filing tax returns, and protecting them from exploitation or abuse. In both arrangements, the person appointing the guardian or conservator is the court, which considers the best interests of the ward or conservatee when making a decision. Washington law also requires a guardian or conservator to provide notice to the ward or conservatee, as well as family members, before the court appointment is finalized.

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