Conservatorship Attorneys Serving St. Lucie County, FL and Fayette County, GA
A conservatorship puts someone in charge who answers to the court — not just the family.
Georgia Conservatorship — Not What You've Seen in the News
Most people's exposure to the word conservatorship comes from high-profile celebrity cases covered under California law. Georgia conservatorship works differently — in structure, in oversight, and in scope.
In Georgia, a conservatorship is specifically a court-supervised financial appointment. It covers the management of a person's property, accounts, income, and assets. It does not cover personal or medical decisions — that is the role of a guardian. Georgia treats the two appointments separately, and many families need both. Understanding which one applies to your situation is where the process begins.
What a Georgia Conservator Is Responsible For
A court-appointed conservator in Georgia carries specific, ongoing legal obligations. These are not discretionary — they are required by the court and enforced through the Probate Court's oversight process.
A conservator's responsibilities include:
Filing an initial inventory of the ward's assets with the Probate Court within a set timeframe after appointment
Preparing and submitting an annual return documenting all income received, expenses paid, and changes to the estate during the year
Filing an asset management plan describing how conserved assets will be invested and managed
Acting in the ward's best financial interest at all times — the conservator owes a fiduciary duty to the ward
Obtaining court approval before making certain significant financial decisions, including real property transactions
Maintaining detailed records sufficient to support each annual accounting
Many families accept a conservatorship appointment without understanding the scope of these requirements. The annual reporting obligation alone represents a significant and recurring commitment. Our attorneys prepare conservators for what is required and handle the court filings on their behalf.
Elizabeth Williams Winfield's Role as Court-Appointed Conservator
Elizabeth Williams Winfield files annual returns, manages conserved assets, and interfaces directly with Fayette County Probate Court in her capacity as a court-appointed fiduciary. She does not do this occasionally — she does it as a professional function, under court supervision, with full accountability for every financial decision she makes on a ward's behalf.
When she represents a private client seeking conservatorship of a parent or family member, that background is not incidental. She knows what the court expects in the initial inventory, what the annual return must include, what triggers a court inquiry, and how to keep a conservatorship in compliance year after year.
When a Professional Conservator Makes Sense
Not every family is positioned to take on the ongoing obligations of a conservatorship. The annual reporting requirements, asset management decisions, and court compliance obligations can become burdensome — particularly for family members who live out of state, who have their own financial and professional commitments, or who simply did not anticipate what the role requires when they accepted the appointment.
Peachtree Fiduciary & Guardianship Services provides professional conservatorship services for individuals who need ongoing court-supervised financial management. Rather than placing that burden on a family member, a professional conservator handles the filings, the asset management, and the court interface — with the expertise and accountability that the role requires.
How the Georgia Conservatorship Process Works
The Attorneys Behind Your Plan
Elizabeth Williams Winfield leads estate planning at our Fayetteville, Georgia office. She is court-appointed County Guardian for Fayette County and court-appointed County Administrator for Clayton County — roles that require her to manage estates and financial affairs for individuals with no other advocate. She brings that same standard of attention to every estate plan she drafts for private clients.
Evett L. Simmons leads estate planning at our Port St. Lucie, Florida office. She is AV Martindale-Hubbell rated, holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Suffolk University, and served as the 58th President of the National Bar Association. Her Florida estate planning practice serves individuals and families across St. Lucie County and the broader Treasure Coast.
Step 1:
File the petition
The petitioner files a petition for conservatorship in the Probate Court of the county where the proposed ward resides. The petition must document the ward's incapacity to manage their own financial affairs and identify the proposed conservator.
Step 2:
Medical evaluation and notice
The court requires a physician's evaluation confirming the ward's incapacity. Formal notice must be given to the proposed ward and certain family members, who have the right to respond and object.
Step 3:
The hearing
The Probate Court holds a hearing to review the evidence and determine whether conservatorship is warranted and who should serve. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the proposed ward's interests independently.
(678) 788-6030 — Georgia Office
Advance directives
Written instructions for your medical care if you are unable to communicate them yourself
Healthcare surrogates
Florida-specific designation naming the person authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf
Common Questions About Conservatorship in Georgia
What is conservatorship in Georgia?
In Georgia, a conservatorship is a court-supervised appointment authorizing a conservator to manage the financial affairs — property, accounts, income, and assets — of a person who can no longer manage them independently. The conservator answers to the Probate Court, files annual accountings, and must act in the ward's best financial interest at all times. It is distinct from guardianship, which covers personal and medical decisions.
How do I become conservator of my parent's estate in Georgia?
You file a petition for conservatorship in the Probate Court of the county where your parent resides. The petition must include a physician's evaluation documenting your parent's incapacity to manage their own finances. The court schedules a hearing, and if conservatorship is granted, you are issued letters of conservatorship and required to post a bond. Annual reporting to the court begins immediately after appointment.
What is the difference between conservatorship and guardianship in Georgia?
Conservatorship covers financial management — property, accounts, assets, and income. Guardianship covers personal decisions — medical care, living arrangements, and daily welfare. Georgia treats these as separate court appointments. A person may need one, the other, or both depending on their specific circumstances. A single petition can request both appointments simultaneously.
What are the annual reporting requirements for a Georgia conservator?
Georgia conservators must file an annual return with the Probate Court documenting all income received, expenses paid, and changes to the conserved estate during the year. They must also maintain an asset management plan and file an affidavit confirming compliance with the court's requirements. Failure to file or filing inaccurate accountings can result in court sanctions and personal liability.
Can a professional conservator be appointed instead of a family member in Georgia?
Yes. When no suitable family member is available or willing to serve, or when the ongoing obligations of conservatorship are beyond what a family member can reasonably manage, the court may appoint a professional conservator. Elizabeth Williams Winfield provides professional conservatorship services through Peachtree Fiduciary & Guardianship Services for Fayette County and surrounding counties.
Is a conservatorship attorney near Fayetteville, Georgia available?
Yes. Our Fayetteville office at 741 West Lanier Avenue, STE 220 handles conservatorship petitions and ongoing conservator compliance for clients throughout Fayette County and surrounding counties. Elizabeth Williams Winfield files regularly in Fayette County Probate Court and serves as a court-appointed conservator in that court.
Ready to Put a Plan in Place?
Estate planning is easier than most people expect when you have an attorney who takes the time to understand your situation. Schedule a consultation with our Georgia or Florida office and walk away with a clear picture of what you need and what it will take to get there.