ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

A Right to Control Your Own Affairs

Guardianship

What exactly is a guardian?

A guardian is someone who is appointed by a court to make personal and/or financial decisions on behalf of another person. Guardian is a general term for a court-appointed surrogate (substitute) decision maker. Your state may use other terms, such as conservator, committee, or curator. Some terms may apply only if the decision maker has authority over financial and property matters; other terms may apply if the decision maker has authority over personal decisions such as living arrangements and health care. A person who has a guardian may be called a ward, an incapacitated person, or some other term.