A conservator will have numerous duties and responsibilities, depending on whether the minor’s parents are still living. The court will generally appoint a child’s parent as the conservator of their property provided the parent is capable of taking on the responsibility—they are not incarcerated or otherwise unsuitable. Below are several roles that a conservator or guardian may take. If the minor inherits real estate, the conservator will be responsible for paying all expenses of maintaining the property, such as taxes, mortgages, and insurance. Of course, this isn’t a consideration when the minor’s parents are living, and they are receiving support from them, but the inheritance may be tapped into for purposes of paying for more costly needs and extras, such as college, a computer or a car when they are old enough to drive. In most cases, parents name guardians for their children in their wills, someone to take custody and care of their them should the parents die while children are still minors. Courts often honor their wishes unless the person or persons named are unsuitable or don’t want the responsibility. The child’s home would most likely be with their physical guardian, who does not necessarily also have conservatorship over their inheritance. Guardians and conservators usually work closely with each other for the children’s overall benefit.
