conservatorship

[kuhn-sur-vuh-ter-ship]

noun

1. the position of being a conservator, especially a person who repairs, restores, or maintains the condition of objects in a museum, library, etc..

   The program will give participants an opportunity to get a feel for the level of precision and care necessary for a career in museum conservatorship.

2. Law.,  an agreement or order under which one person or entity controls the personal and financial affairs of another, such as a minor or someone who is considered legally incapable of managing their own affairs.

   She's under a court-approved conservatorship that oversees every significant purchase and every key decision that she wants to make.

3. Law.,  an agreement whereby a business or financial entity is placed under the control of another entity, usually temporarily and often as a result of prior or impending failure.

   This week, a bipartisan coalition in the legislature is demanding that the agency’s leaders be replaced and the agency be put under an independent conservatorship.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservatorship¹

conservator ( def. ) + -ship ( def. )

Example Sentences

The government also exercises effective control over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government-sponsored mortgage companies, via a conservatorship implemented in 2008, when the housing crash heralded the outset of the Great Recession.

From Los Angeles Times

Some current version of this is the #FreeBritney movement surrounding Britney Spears’ demand to be released from an oppressive, exploitative conservatorship that denies Spears autonomy over her career, earnings, even her own body.

From Salon

Those charges were ultimately dropped a series of hearings related to his mental competency and a conservatorship investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

With clients demanding their money, Girardi’s brother had him placed in a conservatorship, citing as evidence a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease from a Long Beach psychiatrist.

From Los Angeles Times

Charges were later dismissed after hearings related to mental competency and a conservatorship.

From Los Angeles Times