Glossary

Conservatorship

A conservatorship is a court order appointing someone to manage the personal care or finances of an adult who can no longer do so and has no power of attorney in place.

It is slower and costlier than a power of attorney signed while the person still had capacity, which is why planning documents matter before a crisis.

Related terms

Power of attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document in which a person appoints someone to make financial or health care decisions on their behalf, either immediately or when they can no longer decide for themselves.

Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.