Is a conservator legally obligated to pay for the costs associated with the wards care?
No. A conservator does not assume financial responsibility for the ward merely by becoming conservator . The costs of the ward’s care are normally obligations of the ward’s estate. However, anyone, including a guardian and/or conservator, can assume a contractual obligation to pay for the ward’s care if he chooses to do so. A guardian and/or conservator who wishes to avoid personal financial responsibility for the ward’s care should carefully review contracts and modify them if necessary to clarify that the guardian and/or conservator is accepting no personal financial responsibility under the contract. Also, a conservator may be held personally liable for damages caused by negligently or fraudulently handling the ward’s estate. Such liability can be avoided by acting with reasonable prudence and in accordance with applicable statutes.
