What happens to the conservator's roles after the conservatee passes away?

When a conservatee passes away, the conservator's responsibilities do not simply continue indefinitely or transfer to next of kin. Instead, the conservator's roles are specifically limited to ensuring the proper management, protection, and disposition of the conservatee's assets. This means that the conservator must take appropriate actions to settle the conservatee’s affairs, which can include paying any outstanding debts, managing the estate, and ultimately distributing the assets according to the will or state laws if there is no will.

The role ends as soon as these responsibilities are fulfilled, highlighting the temporary nature of a conservator's duties that are inherently tied to the conservatee's needs while they are alive. Once the conservatee has passed, the primary responsibility shifts from active management to the orderly resolution of the estate, which is often handled by an appointed executor or personal representative of the estate rather than the conservator.