Conservator Allowed to File for Divorce on Behalf of Ward
In the attached Carnahan decision, the Tennessee Court of Appeals appointed a disabled man’s daughter as his conservator despite his objections. The Court also allowed the daughter to file a divorce on behalf of her father.
It is somewhat unusual for a child to be appointed as a conservator ahead of a spouse who is willing and able to serve in such role. However, in this case, the ward’s wife had signed a prenuptial agreement that waived her right to seek the appointment of a conservator for him. If there had not been a prenuptial agreement, it is likely that the wife would have been appointed as the conservator due to the priorities set forth by Tennessee law.
It is also unusual for a court to give the conservator the power to file a divorce on behalf of the ward. This is generally thought to be such a personal matter that it should not be exercised by a conservator. When the daughter’s father had legal capacity, he decided to get married. By allowing the daughter to file for divorce in her capacity as conservator, the court allowed the daughter to substitute her judgment regarding her stepmother in place of her father's decision made while he was competent. Have you ever seen a friend or family member marry someone whom you did not approve of?
There are two lessons to be learned from this case. You should address conservatorship in your prenuptial agreement and your financial and healthcare powers of attorney. If you do not want your future spouse to participate in the appointment of your conservator, then make sure that point is addressed in the prenuptial agreement.
Your financial and healthcare powers of attorney should clearly state who you want to serve as your conservator in the event that you become incapacitated. Further, your powers of attorney should state whether or not you want the agent or conservator to be able to file for a divorce on your behalf. I personally do not like the idea of an agent under a power of attorney or a conservator being able to file for divorce. When your spouse is not your agent or conservator, it will often be one of your children. Your children are likely to benefit financially if you obtain a divorce before you die. Therefore, your conservator or agent has a built-in financial conflict of interest. Even if there is not a financial conflict of interest, a lot of step-children dislike their step-parents and might file for divorce just to be mean.
