Legal guardian

A legal guardian is a person who has the legal authority (and the corresponding duty) to care for the personal and property interests of another person, called a ward. Guardians are typically used in three situations: guardianship for an incapacitated senior (due to old age or infirmity), guardianship for a minor, and guardianship for developmentally disabled adults.

Guardianship for incapacitated senior

A guardianship for an incapacitated senior will typically arise where someone determines that a senior has become unable to care for their own person or property. Usually there is a belief that the senior is being financially exploited or about to be exploited. Other times the person will become unable to care for him or herself and is not able to properly engage in the activities of daily living without assistance. There will typically be a precipitating incident that causes a professional, family member, health care worker or clergyman to initiate guardianship proceedings.