legal guardian

Court-authorized protector

A legal guardian is a person appointed by a court to make decisions for someone unable to manage their own affairs—typically a minor whose parents are unavailable or an adult incapacitated by illness or disability.

The guardian assumes responsibility for the person's care, finances, or both: After her parents died, her aunt became her legal guardian.

Distinguished from a biological parent, who has guardianship by default.

authority

custody

Protective care or control

decision-making · power of attorney · mandate · court order · statutory · petition · tribunal · family court · authorization · appointment

care

nurturing

Supportive care-giving

support · guidance · safeguarding · best interests · child welfare · dependent care · special needs · healthcare decisions · supervision · maintenance

relationship

ward

Protected person; division

orphan · foster child · adoptive · kinship · surrogate · next of kin · family member · grandparent · relative · successor

fiduciary

trustee

One managing another's assets

estate · assets · financial management · accounting · prudent · liability · obligation · duty · accountability · stewardship

protection

advocate

Public cause supporter

child protection · vulnerable adult · abuse prevention · neglect · representation · voice · rights · shield · intervention · emergency

Categories
Opposites
custodial authority

legal guardianward

Protected person; division

dependent · charge · minor · orphan · emancipated minor

biological vs. legal parentage

legal guardianbirth parent

One who conceived offspring

biological parent · natural parent · biological mother · biological father · blood relative

care relationship role

legal guardianward of the state

foster child · adoptee

Family

legal, illegal, guardian, warden, custodian, legalize, legally, legalized, illegally

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G