Can a Conservator Sign Documents?
The courts appoint conservators in Colorado to manage the financial affairs of an incapacitated adult (protected person) or a minor child who is under age 21. These duties include:
- Paying monthly bills
- Managing investments
- Determining the value of property or real estate
- Purchasing small and large items
- Selling large items like a car, home or rental property
- Filing tax returns
- Filing appropriate forms with the state regarding financial dealings
- Getting court approval for certain duties
- Keeping detailed records of all transactions
- Filing reports to the courts
As you can imagine, these duties come with a lot of paperwork and it may be necessary for documents to be signed on a regular basis. If the protected person is physically or mentally unable to sign documents, the conservator is approved to sign on behalf of the protected person, as long as it is within the scope of his or her delegated authority and is in the best interests of the protected person. A conservator can be granted the authority to sign:
- Last Will & Testament
- Checks
- Inventory of assets
- Contracts
When signing documents, the conservator should use their title after their name to show that they are the conservator. Example: Mary Jones, as conservator for Bob Jones. Some, but not all, of these tasks require court approval before completing them.
If you have a question about the legality of signing a certain type of document as a conservator, it is best to seek legal guidance. The Denver estate planning lawyers at The Brown Law Firm, LLC have helped hundreds of people understand their roles and responsibilities as a conservator. We can provide experienced and capable counsel to assure compliance with the requirements of law and the orders of the court. The well-being of the protected person is always our top priority.
To learn more about estate planning and conservatorships in Denver, contact The Brown Law Firm, LLC to arrange an appointment: (303) 339-3750 or visit our website.