---
type: Authority
title: RSMo Chapter 475 (guardianship and conservatorship)
description: Missouri's guardianship and conservatorship law, governing court appointment of a guardian for the person or a conservator for the estate of an incapacitated or disabled person.
resource: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=475
tags: [guardianship, conservatorship, incapacity, missouri]
timestamp: 2026-06-22
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
authority_type: statute
citation: RSMo Chapter 475
---

# Summary

RSMo Chapter 475 is Missouri's guardianship and conservatorship law. A guardian is appointed for the person of someone who is incapacitated; a conservator is appointed for the estate of someone who is disabled. The chapter sets who has priority to be appointed, how the court decides capacity, and when the arrangement ends.

# Operative text

Paraphrased from the controlling sections:

- §475.050 sets the order of priority for appointment and directs the court not to appoint an unrelated third party when a suitable, willing relative is available.
- §475.075 governs the hearing at which the court decides capacity or disability.
- §475.083 governs termination of the guardianship or conservatorship when capacity is restored.

Read the full sections at the official source linked above.

# Decision rule

If a person can no longer make decisions and has no adequate power of attorney in place, a Chapter 475 guardianship or conservatorship may be required; naming agents in advance through durable powers of attorney usually avoids the need for one.

# Related

- [Guardianship and Conservatorship](/okf/elder-law-medicaid/guardianship-conservatorship.md)
- [Powers of Attorney](/okf/elder-law-medicaid/powers-of-attorney.md)
- [RSMo §§404.705, 404.710 (durable power of attorney)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-404-durable-power-of-attorney.md)
- Official source: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=475