conservatorship

A conservator acts to secure the administration of an individual’s estate when the court determines that the individual is unable to manage their financial affairs effectively for reasons such as mental illness, mental deficiency, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs, chronic intoxication, confinement, detention by a foreign power, or disappearance and either (1) the individual has property that will be wasted or dissipated unless proper management is provided or (2) money is needed for the individual’s support, care, and welfare or for those entitled to the individual’s support, and protection is necessary to obtain or provide money. MCL 700.1106(y) 

If no suitable person is willing to serve as a conservator, the court may appoint a professional conservator, if such an appointment is in the individual’s best interests. MCL 700.5106. A professional conservator is defined as “a person that provides conservatorship services for a fee. Professional conservator does not include a person who is an individual who is related to all but 2 of the protected individuals for whom he or she is appointed as conservator.” MCL 700.1106(u).