conservatorship

American  

[kuhn-sur-vuh-ter-ship] / kənˈsɜr və tər ʃɪp /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of conservatorship

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

Example Sentences

A last resort would be a conservatorship, which is an involuntary process and takes place when a person is unable to take care of their finances.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

A conservatorship system for homeless veterans would create a legal pathway for placements into exactly those kinds of controlled environments.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2026

Before entering conservatorship, people are are provided a public defender and and every six months have an opportunity to contest their status and exit.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Following a public breakdown in 2007, Spears was placed under the conservatorship of her father Jamie Spears, who controlled her money and her personal life, even as she continued to perform high-profile concerts.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

For 13 years until 2021, the singer was in a conservatorship – a legal guardianship that saw her finances and personal life controlled by her father.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026