
New Guardianship and Conservatorship Laws and Rules in Nebraska
Effective January 1, 2012, Nebraska courts will have new tools to assess the qualifications of prospective guardians and conservators for vulnerable persons, accurately document and track the assets of protected persons, and rigorously monitor the performance of guardians and conservators throughout the duration of their appointments. The legislative changes flow from recommendations made by the Joint Review Committee on the Status of Adult Guardianships and Conservatorships in the Nebraska Court System, which commenced its work in June 2010 under the leadership of Chief Justice Michael Heavican. Among the innovations in the legislation and court rules are required criminal and financial background checks on persons nominated to be guardians and conservators, the right of interested persons to an evidentiary hearing on safety, health or financial welfare concerns about the protected person, and mandatory filing of a bond by conservators of estates greater than $10,000. New court rules also specify the courts' responsibilities for reviewing inventories and accountings and for enforcing compliance with requirements and restrictions placed on guardians and conservators. The Nebraska Judicial Branch website currently features the new law, rules and forms on its home page.
READ MORE







