What Letters of Conservatorship Prove
When the court appoints a conservator, it issues "letters of conservatorship." These letters prove the conservator has legal authority over the protected person's assets. Banks, title companies, and agencies rely on them as proof of that authority.
Letters of conservatorship are evidence of transfer of all assets, or in the case of a limited conservatorship, the part specified in the letters, of a protected person to the conservator. An order terminating a conservatorship is evidence of transfer of all assets subject to the conservatorship from the conservator to the protected person, or the person's successors.
A.R.S. § 14-5421When the conservatorship ends, the court issues a termination order. That order proves title has passed back to the protected person or their heirs. Together, these two documents create a clear paper trail.
Why Recording Matters
For real property like land and homes, the conservator must record these documents in the county where the property sits. Recording gives public notice of the title change.
The conservator should record them promptly. Without proper recording, future buyers or lenders may have trouble verifying ownership.
A conservator who manages real property should record both the letters and any later termination order. This step protects the property's value and prevents title problems that could appear years later.