Section 5–409. [Who May Be Appointed Conservator; Priorities.]
(a) Subject to subsection (c), the court may appoint an individual or a corporation with general power to serve as trustee or conservator of the estate of a protected person. The following are entitled to consideration for appointment in the order listed:
(1) Unless lack of qualification or other good cause dictates the contrary, a person nominated in the protected person's most recent durable power of attorney;
(2) a conservator, guardian of property, or other like fiduciary appointed or recognized by an appropriate court of any other jurisdiction in which the protected person resides;
(3) an individual or corporation nominated by the protected person 14 or more years of age and of sufficient mental capacity to make an intelligent choice;
(4) an agent appointed by the protected person under a durable power of attorney;
(5) a parent of the protected person, or any parental nominee; and
(6) any person deemed appropriate by the court.
(b) The court, acting in the best interest of the protected person, may pass over a person having priority and appoint a person having a lower priority or no priority.
(c) An owner, operator, or employee of a long-term care institution at which the protected person is receiving care or a paid caretaker may not be appointed as conservator unless related to the protected person by blood, marriage, or adoption.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code
Article V - Protection of Persons Under Disability and Their Property
Section 4-401 - Effect of Adjudication for or Against Personal Representative
Section 5-101 - Definitions and Inclusions
Section 5-102 - Facility of Payment or Delivery
Section 5-103 - Delegation of Powers by Parent or Guardian
Section 5-106 - Appointment of Counsel; Guardian Ad Litem
Section 5-107 - Protection of Minors
Section 5-201 - Appointment and Status of Guardian of Minor
Section 5-202 - Parental or Guardian Appointment of Guardian for Minor
Section 5-203 - Objection by Minor Fourteen or Older to Parental Appointment
Section 5-206 - Procedure for Court Appointment of Guardian of Minor
Section 5-207 - Court Appointment of Guardian of Minor; Qualifications; Priority of Minor's Nominee
Section 5-208 - Bond; Consent to Service by Acceptance of Appointment; Notice
Section 5-209 - Powers, Duties, Rights and Immunities of Guardian of Minor; Limitations
Section 5-210 - Termination of Appointment of Guardian; General
Section 5-212 - Resignation, Removal, and Other Post-Appointment Proceedings
Section 5-301 - Nomination of Guardian for Incapacitated Person by Will or Other Writing
Section 5-303 - Procedure for Court Appointment of a Guardian of an Incapacitated Person
Section 5-304 - Notice in Guardianship or Conservatorship Proceeding
Section 5-305 - Who May Be Guardian; Parties
Section 5-306 - Findings; Order of Appointment
Section 5-307 - Bond; Acceptance of Appointment; Consent to Jurisdiction
Section 5-308 - Emergency Orders; Temporary Guardians
Section 5-309 - Powers, Duties, Rights and Immunities of Guardians, Limitations
Section 5-310 - Termination of Guardianship for Incapacitated Person
Section 5-311 - Removal or Resignation of Guardian; Termination of Incapacity
Section 5-313 - Religious Freedom of Incapacitated Person
Section 5-401 - Management of Estate
Section 5-402 - Protective Proceedings; Jurisdiction of Business Affairs of Protected Persons
Section 5-404 - Original Petition for Appointment or Protective Order
Section 5-407 - Findings; Order of Appointment; Permissible Court Orders
Section 5-408 - Protective Arrangements and Single Transactions Authorized
Section 5-409 - Who May Be Appointed Conservator; Penalties
Section 5-411 - Terms and Requirements of Bonds
Section 5-412 - Acceptance of Appointment; Consent to Jurisdiction
Section 5-413 - Compensation and Expenses
Section 5-415 - Petitions for Orders Subsequent to Appointment
Section 5-416 - General Duty of Conservator; Plan
Section 5-417 - Inventory and Records
Section 5-419 - Conservators; Title by Appointment
Section 5-420 - Recording of Conservator's Letters
Section 5-422 - Persons Dealing With Conservators; Protection
Section 5-423 - Powers of Conservator in Administration
Section 5-424 - Distributive Duties and Powers of Conservator
Section 5-425 - Enlargement or Limitation of Powers of Conservator
Section 5-426 - Preservation of Estate Plan; Right to Examine
Section 5-427 - Claims Against Protected Person
Section 5-428 - Personal Liability of Conservator
Section 5-431 - Foreign Conservator; Proof of Authority; Bond; Powers
Section 5-502 - Durable Power of Attorney Not Affected by Lapse of Time, Disability or Incapacity
Section 5-503 - Relation of Attorney in Fact to Court-Appointed Fiduciary
Section 5-504 - Power of Attorney Not Revoked Until Notice
Section 5-505 - Proof of Continuance of Durable and Other Powers of Attorney by Affidavit
Section 5-507 - Protection; Third Parties
Section 5-306a - Substituted Judgment