A Conservator is a court appointed individual or entity that handles the management of financial affairs or property.

There are two main categories of conservatorships. First, minors receiving funds exceeding $10,000 from an inheritance, insurance proceeds or other beneficiary designated funds, personal injury settlements, or sale of real estate. Second, individuals over the age of eighteen that suffer from a mental or physical illness or disability; mental deficiency; advanced age; chronic use of drugs or alcohol; or any other cause to the extent that the individual lacks sufficient understanding, insight or capacity to make responsible decisions concerning their financial affairs and have not executed the proper legal documents to name an agent to make decisions for them. (ie.) Durable Power of Attorney.

An immediate family member, such as spouse, adult child, parent or adult sibling, would be an ideal conservator. If there are no immediate family members then the Court will look to other relatives or interested individuals, such as a neighbor or friend of the incapacitated adult or minor. The need for financial or legal expertise will lead the Court to look for corporate entities, accountants or lawyers.

A Summons; Petition for Appointment of Conservator (Form 540PC)**; $150.00 filing fee; Proposed Guardian ad Litem/Counsel Order (minor 14 and older must consent to the proposed counsel) (Form 532PC)**; certified copy of the birth certificate for the minor.

A Summons; Petition for Appointment of Conservator (Form 540PC)**; $150.00 filing fee; Petition to Appoint Two Designated Examiners and Proposed Order (Form 533PC); Proposed Guardian ad Litem/Counsel Order (Form 532PC).

The Conservator is required to file an Inventory and Appraisement (Form 550PC)** within thirty days of being appointed and the Conservator must annually report (Form 560PC)** to the Court the income and approved disbursements along with the account statements and receipts of expenditures. The Court approves expenditures from the restricted accounts once the Conservator has filed the appropriate Petitions for Expenditures and supporting documentation. The Conservator should also inform the Court as to the whereabouts of the incapacitated adult or minor. The Court has the authority to appoint visitors and guardian ad litems to check on the incapacitated adult or minor because it is the Court's responsibility to make certain that the conservatorship is functioning in the best interest of the protected person.

Due to the legal complexity of the Summons and Petition, the requirements of proper legal service on all interested parties including proper service on the alleged incapacitated adult, and the need for proper notice of the hearing to all interested parties, the Court requires that the proposed Petitioner have an attorney.

Due to the complex nature of the proceedings and the allegations that the adult is incapacitated and cannot manage their financial affairs, the Probate Court appoints an attorney in good standing with the South Carolina Bar for the alleged incapacitated adult. An attorney is always needed to represent the interest of a minor. The attorney acts in a dual capacity as both Guardian ad Litem and Counsel for the incapacitated adult and minor and investigates the need for the conservatorship as well as the proposed Conservator's ability to serve the incapacitated person's best interests.

A surety bond is similar to an insurance policy for the minor or incapacitated person conditioned on the conservator carrying out his or her duties faithfully and appropriately. A surety bond is required on all cases unless the Probate Judge rules otherwise.

The law specifies where the proceedings are to take place and this is called venue. Venue for conservatorship proceedings is in the county where the incapacitated person resides if the person resides in the state or if the person does not reside in the state venue can be any county where the out of state resident owns property.

If the minor reaches majority, if the capacity of the adult changes or the incapacitated person passes away, the Conservator should file a final accounting and Petition for Discharge (Form 571PC)**. If death is the reason for termination then a death certificate should be provided and proof that a Personal Representative has been appointed. The Court will issue an Order for the transfer of assets to the minor that has reached majority or to the individual that is no longer incapacitated or to the Personal Representative of the decedent's estate. A Receipt and Release shall be filed within ten (10) days of the release of assets. A hearing may be held before the assets of the estate are distributed.