Fast Facts on Guardianship 

 

Guardianship is a legal tool that grants a parent or other adult the legal authority to make 
decisions for a legally disabled adult. 

Custody 

Education 

Vocation 

Rehabilitation 

Medical or 
other 
professional 
treatment** 

 

Terms you might hear 

 

Guardian means any individual, agency, or corporation appointed by the court to have full care, 
custody, and control of a disabled person and to manage his financial resources. 

 

Limited guardian means a guardian who possesses fewer than all of the legal powers and duties of a 
full guardian, and whose powers and duties have been specifically enumerated by court order. 

 

Disabled means a legal, not a medical disability, and is measured by functional inabilities. It refers to 
any person 14 or older who is unable to make informed decisions with respect to his personal affairs 
or financial resources. 

 

Conservator means an individual, agency, or corporation appointed by the court to manage the 
financial resources of a disabled person. A conservator can be an alternative to guardianship. 

 

Limited conservator means an individual, agency, or corporation appointed by the court to assist in 
managing the financial resources of a partially disabled person and whose powers and duties have 
been specifically enumerated by court order. A limited conservator can be an alternative to 
guardianship. 

 

Respondent means an individual alleged to be a partially disabled or disabled person. 

 

Ward means a person for whom a limited guardian, guardian, 
limited conservator, or conservator has been appointed. 

 

When is a Guardian needed? 

 

A guardian may be needed when a person 

With a disability cannot make manage his 

Or her own financial resources or care for 

Him or herself. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities 

 

A guardian may be responsible for many areas 

in a person’s life. Custody, education, vocation, 

rehabilitation, and medical or professional treatment** are all 

 important areas to address 

 

**Except: abortion, sterilization, psychosurgery, removal or bodily organ or limb without prior court 
approval.