A conservatorship is a court order that a person deemed fully or partially incapable be subject to the legal control of another person. The conservator is responsible for the assets and finances of an incapacitated person. Many jurisdictions use the term "guardian of the person" to refer to the same legal principle. It may be necessary to petition a court to appoint a conservator for persons:

• Who have physical or mental problems that prevent them from managing their own financial affairs;
• Who have no person already legally authorized to assume responsibility for them; and
• Where other kinds of assistance with financial management will not adequately protect them.