How is a conservatorship different than a guardianship?

A conservatorship is a type of guardianship, but with a very specific purpose. In Washington, a conservatorship is established when a person is unable to make decisions for themselves due to physical or mental incapacity. The conservator is granted the rights to manage another person’s financial or personal affairs. It is a very serious arrangement because all decisions made by the conservator must be in the best interests of the person receiving the conservatorship. In contrast, a guardianship in Washington is different than a conservatorship because it is typically established for minors or legally incapacitated people. The guardian is granted the authority to make decisions for the person in their guardianship. This could include decisions related to medical treatment, education, and legal matters. The guardian is legally responsible for the decisions they make on behalf of the ward, and must act in their best interest. The key difference between a conservatorship and a guardianship is the scope of authority granted. A conservator has the authority to manage the financial and personal affairs of the ward, while a guardian has the authority to make decisions relating to the ward. In either case, the responsibility to act in the best interest of the ward remains.

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How is a conservatorship different than a guardianship?

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