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Guardianship & Conservatorship
What is a Guardian and a Conservator
A guardian is appointed by the court to make the personal decisions for the protected person ("Ward".) The guardian has authority to make decisions on behalf of the protected person about such things as where to live, medical decisions, training and education, etc.
A conservator is appointed to make financial decisions for the protected person ("Conservatee".) The conservator typically has the power to enter into contracts, pay bills, invest assets, and perform other financial functions for the protected person.
If you want to have custody or be the "legal guardian" of a minor child, see Child Custody & Parenting Time for more information, or talk to a lawyer. For information about protecting the interests of minor children involved in the courts, go to Guardian ad Litem Program.
Guardianship / Conservatorship Educational Video (34 min.)
Court Forms
NOTE: The MN Judicial Branch does not publish instructions for every guardianship or conservatorship form, but you can learn about the process by reading the Conservatorship & Guardianship Manual. You should talk with a lawyer to find out which specific forms to use in your situation and the procedures involved. Court Administartion can tell you about the Fees that must be paid. Another good resource for finding forms and how-to information on legal issues is your local law library.
Conservators must use CAMPER to e-file their annual reports with the court.
Laws & Rules
The following is a list of some of the laws and rules that relate to Guardianship/Conservatorship cases. We encourage you to talk with a lawyer to get advice on how the laws and rules may affect your case. Learn more about Law, Rules & Legal Research.
Resources on Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship / Conservatorship Educational Video
Legal Advice
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