How is a conservatorship different than a guardianship?
A conservatorship is a legal arrangement in which one party is legally appointed to manage the affairs of an incapacitated person or minor child. This arrangement is different than a guardianship in that a conservator is appointed for the purpose of managing the assets and financial affairs of an individual, whereas a guardian is appointed for the purpose of making decisions regarding the health, well-being, and personal care of an individual. In Alaska, a guardianship is established through a court process where a court-appointed guardian is held responsible for decisions concerning the health, safety, and welfare of an incapacitated person or minor child. A conservatorship, on the other hand, is a court-approved arrangement that requires an appointed conservator to manage assets or financial affairs. In this type of arrangement, the court-appointed conservator must submit regular reports to the court and act according to court orders. In Alaska, guardianship and conservatorship are separate and distinct legal arrangements. A guardianship does not automatically mean that an individual is appointed as a conservator. Furthermore, a guardianship may be terminated or changed at any time, while a conservatorship cannot be terminated or changed without approval from the court. Finally, an individual may be appointed as both a guardian and a conservator, but this does not happen often.
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