What is guardianship?

Guardianship is defined as a legal arrangement in which a court appoints an individual, often referred to as a guardian, to make decisions on behalf of another person, known as the ward. This appointment typically occurs when the individual is deemed incapable of making their own decisions due to factors such as age, mental incapacity, or disability. The guardian has the authority to make crucial decisions that affect the ward's personal care, health, education, and financial matters, depending on the scope of their guardianship rights.

This formal legal relationship is established to ensure that the needs and best interests of the ward are met, which underscores the importance of oversight and accountability provided by the court system. The other options describe various types of arrangements, such as informal family agreements or temporary living situations, but these do not encompass the legal and structured nature of guardianship. Furthermore, financial management, while sometimes a component of guardianship, is just one aspect of the broader responsibilities that a guardian may be tasked with in managing a ward's overall welfare.