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Conservatorship

The Minnesota Judicial Branch has launched an online training for individuals who have been appointed by a court to serve as a guardian or conservator. Learn More

The program will increase audit frequency for conservator-managed accounts

Before Conservatorship

Before seeking a conservatorship, Minn. Stat. 524.5-409 requires that you must meaningfully consider and try as appropriate less restrictive alternatives—such as supported decision making—before a conservator is appointed. Be prepared to tell the court what options you tried, for how long, and why they didn’t work.

A less restrictive alternative is something that allows a person to keep as much self-determination and control over their own life as possible while still addressing the person’s financial needs. Less restrictive alternatives may include:
  • A power of attorney (if the person has the capacity to sign one).
  • Supported decision-making.
  • Representative Payee appointed by Social Security Administration to manage Social Security benefits.
  • Creating a trust.
  • Automatic payments for bills.
Conservatorship is generally not necessary if a person’s needs can be met with the support of less restrictive alternatives, or if a person’s assets are low. For more information about alterntaives see the Less Restrictive Alternatives to Conservatorship Handout created by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. 



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State Law Library

Room G25
Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 297-7651

mn.gov/law-library