Conservatorships and Crisis Planning: What Advisors Need to Know

There is a point where planning becomes urgent.

And in our experience, that point often comes sooner than expected.

What Happens in a Crisis

A client becomes incapacitated.

And suddenly, the questions begin:

• Who can make decisions?
• Who has authority over finances?
• What documentation is in place?

If those answers are not clear, families may have limited options.

Where Advisors Step In

Advisors are often among the first calls.

You are asked for guidance, direction, clarity.

And in that moment, the strength of the plan becomes very real.

When the Plan Falls Short

If the necessary documents are not in place—or are outdated—families may be forced into conservatorship.

That means:

• Court involvement
• Ongoing oversight
• Reduced flexibility

It is rarely the outcome anyone intended.

The Opportunity Before the Crisis

In our experience, these situations are often preventable.

Not with complex strategies—but with:

• Updated documents
• Clear decision-makers
• Alignment between the plan and the client’s current life

What We Recommend

We encourage advisors to:

• Revisit planning documents regularly with clients
• Confirm that named decision-makers are still appropriate
• Identify gaps that could create issues in a crisis
• Collaborate with legal counsel to keep plans aligned and current

We often partner with advisors to review and update plans before urgency arises.

Because once a crisis happens, options become more limited.