Court appoints three relatives as conservators for William T. Pitt; order to allow any one to act individually

The court approved a petition Friday to appoint three relatives as permanent conservators for William T. Pitt, who lives in an assisted facility and has limited means. The trustee named in the decedent's will, James Vowell, has died; family members had been informally handling Mr. Pitt's affairs.

Judge David D. Wolfe said the court would "approve their petition to appoint them" and ordered the appointment to be "jointly and severally" so that any one of the three could act on Mr. Pitt's behalf without requiring all signatures. The judge said that approach would allow continuity if one relative later steps down.

Why it matters: appointment as conservators gives the appointees the authority to handle taxes and financial matters that the family had been managing informally; it also clarifies fiduciary authority after the original trustee's death.

Testimony in court: William Thomas Pitt (who the petitioners say goes by "Tommy") confirmed he understands the petition and is agreeable to the relatives acting for him. Marie Powell and her daughters Christina Wheeler and Karen Devine testified that they have been assisting and that they want the court order so they can file taxes and otherwise manage financial affairs.

Court directions: the judge directed that the order specify that any of the three appointees may act individually, and that the order should allow the court to remove or release an appointee if needed. The court also agreed to the filing of an attorney-fee affidavit and asked counsel to submit a proposed order.

Next steps: counsel for the petitioners will draft and submit the conservatorship order consistent with the bench ruling. The court indicated it would waive bond if Mr. Pitt is satisfied with the arrangement and there is no objection on the record.