def is_status_creator(user, status=None):
    """
    Check for ownership of the provided status.

    Arguments:
        user (User): The user for whom a permission check is being made.
        status (UserTaskStatus): The status record to check ownership for.

    Returns
    -------
        bool: True if no status is provided or the user owns the given status.

    """
    if not status:
        return True
    return status.user_id == user.id