A person who in good faith either assists a conservator or deals with him for value in any transaction other than those requiring a court order as provided in Section 5-408, is protected as if the conservator properly exercised the power. The fact that a person knowingly deals with a conservator does not alone require the person to inquire into the existence of a power or the propriety of its exercise, except that restrictions on powers of conservators which are endorsed on letters as provided in Section 5-426 [45-5-426 NMSA 1978] are effective as to third persons. A person is not bound to see to the proper application of estate assets paid or delivered to a conservator. The protection here expressed extends to instances in which some procedural irregularity or jurisdictional defect occurred in proceedings leading to the issuance of letters. The protection here expressed is in addition to that provided by comparable provisions of laws relating to commercial transactions and laws simplifying transfers of securities by fiduciaries.
History: 1953 Comp., § 32A-5-423, enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 257, § 5-423.
Compiler's notes. — This section includes within its scope some of the functions of former 32-1-35, 1953 Comp.
The reference to Section 5-408 is a reference to a certain section of Chapter 257 of Laws 1975, which enacted the Uniform Probate Code, and was compiled as Section 45-5-408 NMSA 1978. That section was repealed and new provisions were enacted in 1993.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 14 C.J.S. Chemical Dependents § 4; 39 C.J.S. Guardian and Ward § 138; 49 C.J.S. Insane Persons § 107.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 45 - Uniform Probate Code
Article 5 - Protection of Persons Under Disability and Their Property
Part 4 - PROTECTION OF PROPERTY OF PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY AND MINORS
Section 45-5-401 - Conservatorship proceedings.
Section 45-5-402 - Protective proceedings; jurisdiction of affairs of protected persons.
Section 45-5-402.1 - Permissible court orders.
Section 45-5-404 - Original petition for appointment of conservator.
Section 45-5-404.1 - Duties of guardian ad litem.
Section 45-5-405 - Notice in conservatorship proceedings.
Section 45-5-405.1 - Protective arrangements and single transactions authorized.
Section 45-5-406 - Guardianship and protective proceedings; request for notice; interested person.
Section 45-5-407 - Procedure for court appointment of a conservator.
Section 45-5-408 - Temporary conservators.
Section 45-5-409 - Annual report and account; audits.
Section 45-5-409.1 - Repealed.
Section 45-5-410 - Who may be appointed conservator; priorities.
Section 45-5-411 - Bond and terms; requirements of bonds.
Section 45-5-413 - Acceptance of appointment; consent to jurisdiction.
Section 45-5-414 - Compensation and expenses.
Section 45-5-415 - Death, substitution, review and termination of conservatorship.
Section 45-5-416 - Petitions for orders subsequent to appointment.
Section 45-5-417 - General duty of conservator.
Section 45-5-418 - Inventory and records.
Section 45-5-420 - Conservators; title by appointment.
Section 45-5-421 - Recording of conservator's letters.
Section 45-5-421.1 - Letters of conservatorship.
Section 45-5-423 - Persons dealing with conservators; protection.
Section 45-5-424 - Powers of conservator in administration.
Section 45-5-425 - Distributive duties and powers of conservator.
Section 45-5-426 - Consent to conservatorship; applicable laws.
Section 45-5-427 - Preservation of estate plan.
Section 45-5-428 - Claims against protected person; enforcement.
Section 45-5-429 - Individual liability of conservator.
Section 45-5-430 - Termination of proceeding.
Section 45-5-434 - Registration of guardianship orders.