The last several posts here have discussed the powers, roles and responsibilities of Minnesota conservators. If anything, the information may convince our Saint Paul readers that they do not want to ever serve as a conservator. However, many Minnesota residents will experience a time in which a loved one needs another person to look after his or her property in order to protect and preserve it.
In this respect, filling the role of a conservator can be both very rewarding and a wonderful act of service to a friend or relative. Moreover, when things go smoothly, the role of a conservator is usually fairly straightforward, even if it is an investment of time.
Perhaps the biggest headache an honest conservator will face is the criticism and even the outright interference of heirs and other interested parties who do not feel that they are being treated fairly and will seek to take out their anger on the conservator. Sometimes, these people will resort to litigation and accuse the conservator of all kinds of improper conduct.
Minnesota conservators should take all such accusations seriously, even if they are honest people who are not intentionally trying to take advantage of their position. After all, conservators in Minnesota have broader responsibilities than simply hanging on to another person’s property and not defrauding anyone. For example, a conservator who does very human things like forget to pay for insurance or another bill, or who makes imprudent investments, may find himself or herself in legal hot water.