• Conservator is an important but misunderstood career.columns image by paulo cruz from Fotolia.com
  
  When a person becomes physically or mentally unable to care for her finances, a conservator is appointed by a court. The conservator is carefully monitored by a judge, who makes sure the conservator's actions are on the behalf of the conservatee. A conservator can get into major legal trouble if he does not perform his job correctly.
  
  

Personal Duties

• The conservator is responsible for the care and protection of her client. For example, she will help the conservatee decide where to live. This can include a home, apartment or even a care home. The conservator must make sure the conservatee receives proper health care for her condition. For example, he must arrange physical therapy sessions for someone with a physical handicap. He must also order and pick up any medication necessary.
  
  All food for the conservatee must be purchased by the conservator, as well as all other personal items. This includes clothing, toilet paper, shampoo, soap. The conservator may have to apply personal care to the body of the conservatee. Cleaning the house and personal area of the conservatee is another important duty, as is transportation. Any recreation desires must be fulfilled by the conservator as well as any other needs of the conservatee.
  
  

Estate Duties

• The conservator may also have to manage the affairs of the conservatee's estate. Often, a judge will appoint one conservator for personal care and another for the estate. However, some conservators end up performing both roles. An estate conservator must manage the finances of the conservatee. For example, she must calculate the conservatee's income and her cost of living and make sure that income surpasses cost. Balancing the conservatees budget helps him save money. All bills and tax must be paid regularly and on time.
  
  The conservator must also protect the home and property of the conservatee. She must make a list of everything in the estate to make sure it is accounted for and protected. She may have to take security measures, such as having electronic systems or even bars on the windows installed. She may also have to invest the conservatee's money, if the conservatee desires so, and must make sure all financial records are kept in order.
  
  

Respect All Wishes

• One of the most important duties of the conservator is to respect all wishes of the conservatee. The conservatee has many rights and must be treated with human respect and dignity. The conservator can never make a decision against the wishes of the conservatee unless the wish of the conservatee is harmful or illegal. The conservator must consider all of the wishes of the conservatee carefully before making any decisions. He must respect the conservatees right to control her salary if necessary.
  
  The conservatee also has the right to make or change a will, get married and have a lawyer. The conservator must make sure the conservatee has access to everything that is within her rights, such as an allowance and to receive and respond to mail. Each case will be different depending on the problems of the conservatee. She may have fewer rights if her ability to make decisions is seriously hampered by mental problems, such as schizophrenia or brain damage.