A guardian is a person appointed by another person (with court approval) or by a court (when nobody has named a guardian) to care for another person or their property. That other person will be either a minor or a legally incompetent adult and is referred to as the “ward.” Guardians of the ward’s person are always called guardians. Sometimes guardians of the estate or property are referred to as conservators. In either case, they are fiduciaries; that is, they must act with special care towards the ward or their property.
If you have minor children or have responsibility for an incapacitated adult, you should consider making provision in your will for a guardian. But take care to choose someone with the ability and wherewithal to do the job. Fail to do that, and you may find the court re-doing what you didn’t do properly.
Speak Your Mind