Martin’s family or friends may not agree with your decisions about Martin’s money and property. To help reduce any friction, follow the four duties described above and the guidelines we’ve given you.
- Sharing information may help (unless Martin has said that you should not). It usually is easier to deal with questions about a decision immediately rather than to deal with suspicion and anger that may build over a long time. There is some information that you must share with certain family members. For example, if Martin moves, is hospitalized, or dies you must notify certain family members if they request to receive notification. The court may also require you to send accountings to family and friends, or it may say you should not. If there is no direction from the court, get court approval before sharing information.
- Some family or friends may not have Martin’s best interest at heart, so it may be better not to share information with them, or to ask the court not to share it. Use your best judgment.
- If family or friends don’t agree with your decisions, try to get someone to help sort it out—for example, a family counselor or mediator. See the “Where to Go for Help” section under "Related Resources," found on the left sidebar of this toolkit.