Are there alternatives to a conservatorship to care for an ailing spouse?
Yes. First, of course, many assets, such as bank accounts, are held in joint tenancy. Either spouse can write checks, withdraw cash, and transfer funds from one account to another. Second, in most estate plan documents, each spouse authorizes the other spouse to act for him or her, either presently or upon incapacity. Third, many medical providers will act on instructions of the well spouse even if the ill spouse has not signed an Advance Health Care Directive.
