When can a guardianship of an estate be terminated?

A guardianship of the estate is inherently linked to the life of the conservatee. The termination of this guardianship occurs automatically upon the death of the conservatee. This is because the purpose of guardianship is to manage the financial and personal affairs of an individual who is unable to do so, and once that individual passes away, the necessity for a guardian ceases.

The other options present scenarios that do not directly lead to the termination of a guardianship of the estate. Certain age milestones or the appointment of a successor conservator may change the management of the estate, but they do not end the guardianship. Similarly, a conservator’s personal decision does not hold legal weight in terminating the guardianship, as such a decision must comply with statutory requirements and often requires court approval. Therefore, the clearest and most definitive event that results in the termination of guardianship is the death of the conservatee.