Sometimes the court may also limit the guardian's authority to specific decisions. A conservator is a person appointed by the probate court to take care of the property or estate of another person who is considered by the court to be unable of handling their own financial affairs. The conservator is responsible to the court for how the ward's funds or property are managed. A guardian and a conservator can be the same person or institution, or they may be different people or institutions. To have a guardian or a conservator appointed for an incapacitated person, a petition must be filed with the probate court.
Any adult interested in the well-being of the ward can file the petition.
There are filing fees for guardianships and conservatorships. Before the hearing, the court will appoint someone to meet with the ward and make an investigation for the court. There may be a charge for this. A hearing will be held and the probate judge will decide after hearing testimony whether it is necessary to appoint a guardian or conservator to protect the person or property. Both a guardian and conservator must fulfill the legal duties required of the position.