When may the court appoint a conservator?

The court may appoint a conservator when a person is unable to manage their own estate due to reasons such as incapacity, mental illness, or other disabilities. This appointment ensures that the individual's financial and personal affairs are managed in their best interest, safeguarding their assets and providing necessary care. A conservator assumes the responsibility to make decisions on behalf of the individual, especially concerning financial matters and property management.

In situations where a minor inherits property, while the minor may need assistance, the legal framework typically involves guardianship rather than conservatorship, as the needs of minors are addressed differently. In the case of a will contest, the focus is on the validity of the will and not on managing an individual's estate, which falls outside the scope of conservatorship. When debts are owed by the estate, it centers on estate administration and settlement processes rather than the need for a conservator, which is specifically tied to an individual's inability to manage their affairs. Thus, the correct context for the appointment of a conservator directly relates to an individual's incapacity to handle their estate.