SECTION 5-409. Who may be appointed conservator; penalties

Section 5–409. [Who May Be Appointed Conservator; Priorities.]

(a) Subject to subsection (c), the court may appoint an individual or a corporation with general power to serve as trustee or conservator of the estate of a protected person. The following are entitled to consideration for appointment in the order listed:

(1) Unless lack of qualification or other good cause dictates the contrary, a person nominated in the protected person's most recent durable power of attorney;

(2) a conservator, guardian of property, or other like fiduciary appointed or recognized by an appropriate court of any other jurisdiction in which the protected person resides;

(3) an individual or corporation nominated by the protected person 14 or more years of age and of sufficient mental capacity to make an intelligent choice;

(4) an agent appointed by the protected person under a durable power of attorney;

(5) a parent of the protected person, or any parental nominee; and

(6) any person deemed appropriate by the court.

(b) The court, acting in the best interest of the protected person, may pass over a person having priority and appoint a person having a lower priority or no priority.

(c) An owner, operator, or employee of a long-term care institution at which the protected person is receiving care or a paid caretaker may not be appointed as conservator unless related to the protected person by blood, marriage, or adoption.