Guardianships
Guardianship is a legal arrangement where a court appoints someone to make medical decisions for and act on behalf of an incapacitated person. A guardian can make decisions about where a person resides and the medical services and treatment they receive.
Conservatorships
Conservatorship is a legal arrangement where a court appoints someone to manage the financial affairs and assets of an individual who is found to be financially incapable. Individuals who are financially incapable are minors or adults who are unable to manage their finances due to illness or disability. The conservator’s role, in part, is to pay bills, make financial decisions, and protect the assets of the individual under their care.
Probates
Probate is the legal process to distribute the assets of a deceased person to his/her heirs or beneficiaries. Probate involves locating and paying any debts or liabilities of the deceased person, identifying assets of the deceased person, filing taxes, and distributing assets to heirs or beneficiaries according to the deceased person’s will or state law. Probate involves filing court documents, managing estate finances, and ensuring all legal requirements are met before finalizing the estate distribution.
Trust Administration
Trust administration refers to the management and distribution of assets held within a trust. A trust is administered according to the terms outlined in the trust document. It involves tasks such as asset management, record-keeping, tax reporting, and ensuring that beneficiaries receive their designated shares as stipulated by the trust agreement. The trust administration process is similar to probate but the administration is completed without court involvement.