RCW 11.130.505
Duties of conservator.
(1) A conservator is a fiduciary and has duties of prudence and loyalty to the individual subject to conservatorship.
(2) A conservator shall promote the self-determination of the individual subject to conservatorship and, to the extent feasible, encourage the individual to participate in decisions, act on the individual's own behalf, and develop or regain the capacity to manage the individual's personal affairs.
(3) In making a decision for an individual subject to conservatorship, the conservator shall make the decision the conservator reasonably believes the individual would make if able, unless doing so would fail to preserve the resources needed to maintain the individual's well-being and lifestyle or otherwise unreasonably harm or endanger the welfare or personal or financial interests of the individual. To determine the decision the individual would make if able, the conservator shall consider the individual's prior or current directions, preferences, opinions, values, and actions, to the extent actually known or reasonably ascertainable by the conservator.
(4) If a conservator cannot make a decision under subsection (3) of this section because the conservator does not know and cannot reasonably determine the decision the individual subject to conservatorship probably would make if able, or the conservator reasonably believes the decision the individual would make would fail to preserve resources needed to maintain the individual's well-being and lifestyle or otherwise unreasonably harm or endanger the welfare or personal or financial interests of the individual, the conservator shall act in accordance with the best interests of the individual. In determining the best interests of the individual, the conservator shall consider:
(a) Information received from professionals and persons that demonstrate sufficient interest in the welfare of the individual;
(b) Other information the conservator believes the individual would have considered if the individual were able to act; and
(c) Other factors a reasonable person in the circumstances of the individual would consider, including consequences for others.
(5) Except when inconsistent with the conservator's duties under subsections (1) through (4) of this section, a conservator shall invest and manage the conservatorship estate as a prudent investor would, by considering:
(a) The circumstances of the individual subject to conservatorship and the conservatorship estate;
(b) General economic conditions;
(c) The possible effect of inflation or deflation;
(d) The expected tax consequences of an investment decision or strategy;
(e) The role of each investment or course of action in relation to the conservatorship estate as a whole;
(f) The expected total return from income and appreciation of capital;
(g) The need for liquidity, regularity of income, and preservation or appreciation of capital; and
(h) The special relationship or value, if any, of specific property to the individual subject to conservatorship.
(6) The propriety of a conservator's investment and management of the conservatorship estate is determined in light of the facts and circumstances existing when the conservator decides or acts and not by hindsight.
(7) A conservator shall make a reasonable effort to verify facts relevant to the investment and management of the conservatorship estate.
(8) A conservator that has special skills or expertise, or is named conservator in reliance on the conservator's representation of special skills or expertise, has a duty to use the special skills or expertise in carrying out the conservator's duties.
(9) In investing, selecting specific property for distribution, and invoking a power of revocation or withdrawal for the use or benefit of the individual subject to conservatorship, a conservator shall consider any estate plan of the individual known or reasonably ascertainable to the conservator and may examine the will or other donative, nominative, or appointive instrument of the individual.
(10) A conservator shall maintain insurance on the insurable real and personal property of the individual subject to conservatorship, unless the conservatorship estate lacks sufficient funds to pay for insurance or the court finds:
(a) The property lacks sufficient equity; or
(b) Insuring the property would unreasonably dissipate the conservatorship estate or otherwise not be in the best interest of the individual.
(11) If a power of attorney for finances is in effect, a conservator shall cooperate with the agent to the extent feasible.
(12) A conservator has access to and authority over a digital asset of the individual subject to conservatorship to the extent provided by the revised uniform fiduciary access to digital assets act (chapter 11.120 RCW) or court order.
(13) A conservator for an adult shall notify the court if the condition of the adult has changed so that the adult is capable of exercising rights previously removed. The notice must be given immediately on learning of the change.
(14) A conservator shall notify the court within thirty days of any substantial change in the value of the property of the person subject to conservatorship and shall provide a copy of the notice to the person subject to guardianship, a person entitled to notice under RCW 11.130.420(6) or a subsequent court order, and any other person the court has determined is entitled to notice and schedule a hearing for the court to review the adequacy of the bond or other verified receipt under RCW 11.130.445 and 11.130.500.
[ 2020 c 312 § 219; 2019 c 437 § 418.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—2020 c 312: See note following RCW 11.130.915.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 11 - Probate and Trust Law
Chapter 11.130 - Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act.
11.130.015 - Supplemental principles of law and equity applicable.
11.130.020 - Subject matter jurisdiction.
11.130.025 - Transfer of proceeding.
11.130.035 - Practice in court.
11.130.037 - Presumption of legal capacity.
11.130.040 - Letters of office.
11.130.045 - Effect of acceptance of appointment.
11.130.050 - Co-guardian—Co-conservator.
11.130.055 - Judicial appointment of successor guardian or successor conservator.
11.130.060 - Effect of death, removal, or resignation of guardian or conservator.
11.130.065 - Notice of hearing generally.
11.130.070 - Waiver of notice.
11.130.075 - Guardian ad litem.
11.130.080 - Request for notice.
11.130.085 - Disclosure of bankruptcy or criminal history.
11.130.095 - Multiple nominations.
11.130.100 - Compensation and expenses—In general.
11.130.105 - Compensation of guardian or conservator.
11.130.115 - Petition after appointment for instruction or ratification.
11.130.120 - Third-party acceptance of authority of guardian or conservator.
11.130.125 - Use of agent by guardian or conservator.
11.130.130 - Temporary substitute guardian or conservator.
11.130.135 - Registration of order—Effect.
11.130.140 - Grievance or complaint against guardian or conservator.
11.130.145 - Delegation by parent.
11.130.150 - Ex parte communications—Removal.
11.130.155 - Registry for guardians ad litem and visitors.
11.130.160 - Guardianship/conservatorship summary.
11.130.165 - Guardianship/conservatorship courthouse facilitator program.
11.130.175 - Guardianships involving veterans.
11.130.180 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
11.130.185 - Basis for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.190 - Petition for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.195 - Notice of hearing for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.200 - Attorney for minor or parent.
11.130.205 - Attendance and participation at hearing for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.210 - Custody orders—Background information to be consulted.
11.130.215 - Order of appointment—Priority of nominee—Limited guardianship for minor.
11.130.220 - Standby guardian for minor.
11.130.225 - Emergency guardian for minor.
11.130.230 - Duties of guardian for minor.
11.130.235 - Powers of guardian for minor.
11.130.240 - Removal of guardian for minor—Termination of guardianship—Appointment of successor.
11.130.245 - Prior court order validity.
11.130.250 - Application of the Indian child welfare act.
11.130.257 - Temporary support, restraining, and protective orders—Effect—Support debts to state.
11.130.259 - Order for relocation.
11.130.260 - Health insurance coverage—Conditions.
11.130.265 - Basis for appointment of guardian for adult.
11.130.270 - Petition for appointment of guardian for adult.
11.130.275 - Notice of hearing for appointment of guardian for adult.
11.130.280 - Appointment and role of court visitor.
11.130.285 - Appointment and role of attorney for adult.
11.130.290 - Professional evaluation.
11.130.295 - Attendance and rights at hearing.
11.130.300 - Confidentiality of records.
11.130.305 - Who may be guardian for adult—Order of priority.
11.130.310 - Order of appointment for guardian.
11.130.315 - Notice of order of appointment—Rights.
11.130.320 - Emergency guardian for adult.
11.130.325 - Duties of guardian for adult.
11.130.330 - Powers of guardian for adult.
11.130.335 - Special limitations on guardian's power.
11.130.345 - Guardian's report—Monitoring of guardianship.
11.130.350 - Removal of guardian for adult—Appointment of successor.
11.130.355 - Termination or modification of guardianship for adult.
11.130.360 - Basis for appointment of conservator.
11.130.365 - Petition for appointment of conservator.
11.130.370 - Notice and hearing for appointment of conservator.
11.130.375 - Order to preserve or apply property while proceeding pending.
11.130.380 - Appointment and role of court visitor.
11.130.385 - Appointment and role of attorney.
11.130.390 - Professional evaluation.
11.130.400 - Attendance and rights at hearing.
11.130.410 - Confidentiality of records.
11.130.415 - Who may be conservator—Order of priority.
11.130.420 - Order of appointment of conservator.
11.130.425 - Notice of order of appointment—Rights.
11.130.430 - Emergency conservator.
11.130.435 - Powers of conservator requiring court approval.
11.130.440 - Petition for order after appointment.
11.130.445 - Bond—Alternative verified receipt.
11.130.500 - Terms and requirements of bond.
11.130.505 - Duties of conservator.
11.130.510 - Conservator's plan.
11.130.515 - Inventory—Records.
11.130.520 - Administrative powers of conservator not requiring court approval.
11.130.525 - Distribution from conservatorship estate.
11.130.530 - Conservator's report and accounting—Monitoring.
11.130.535 - Attempted transfer of property by individual subject to conservatorship.
11.130.540 - Transaction involving conflict of interest.
11.130.545 - Protection of person dealing with conservator.
11.130.547 - Access of conservator to certain assets.
11.130.550 - Death of individual subject to conservatorship.
11.130.555 - Presentation and allowance of claim.
11.130.560 - Personal liability of conservator.
11.130.565 - Removal of conservator—Appointment of successor.
11.130.570 - Termination or modification of conservatorship.
11.130.575 - Transfer for benefit of minor without appointment of conservator.
11.130.580 - Authority for protective arrangement.
11.130.585 - Basis for protective arrangement instead of guardianship for adult.
11.130.590 - Basis for protective arrangement instead of conservatorship for adult or minor.
11.130.595 - Petition for protective arrangement.
11.130.600 - Notice and hearing.
11.130.605 - Appointment and role of court visitor.
11.130.610 - Appointment and role of attorney.
11.130.615 - Professional evaluation.
11.130.620 - Attendance and rights at hearing.
11.130.630 - Confidentiality of records.
11.130.635 - Appointment of special agent.
11.130.645 - Petition for guardianship for minor.
11.130.650 - Petition for guardianship, conservatorship, or protective arrangement.
11.130.655 - Notification of rights for adult subject to guardianship or conservatorship.
11.130.657 - Notification of petition for guardianship or conservatorship.
11.130.660 - Letters of office.
11.130.665 - Guardianship/conservatorship summary.
11.130.670 - Certified professional guardianship board—Grievances.
11.130.710 - Presumption of capacity.
11.130.720 - Authority of supporter.
11.130.730 - Disqualification of supporter.
11.130.735 - Access of supporter to personal information.
11.130.740 - Execution of agreement.
11.130.750 - Reliance on agreement—Limitation of liability.
11.130.755 - Reporting of suspected abuse, abandonment, neglect, exploitation.
11.130.900 - Uniformity of application and construction.
11.130.905 - Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.