Section 5–416. [General Duty of Conservator; Plan.]
(a) A conservator, in relation to powers conferred by this part, or implicit in the title acquired by virtue of the proceeding, shall act as a fiduciary and observe the standards of care applicable to trustees as described by chapter 203C.
(b) A conservator shall exercise authority only as necessitated by the mental and adaptive limitations of the protected person, and to the extent possible, encourage the person to participate in decisions, to act in the person's own behalf, and to develop or regain the ability to manage the person's estate and business affairs.
(c) The court may order a conservator to file with the appointing court a plan for managing, expending, and distributing the assets of the protected person's estate. The plan shall be based on the actual needs of the person and take into consideration the best interest of the person. The conservator shall include in the plan steps to develop or restore the person's ability to manage the person's property, an estimate of the duration of the conservatorship, and projections for expenses and resources.
(d) In investing an estate, selecting assets of the estate for distribution, and invoking powers of revocation or withdrawal available for the use and benefit of the protected person and exercisable by the conservator, a conservator shall take into account any estate plan of the person known to the conservator and may examine the will and any other donative, nominative, or other appointive instrument of the person.
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