What is a legal guardian?

A legal guardian is someone who takes legal responsibility for a person who is unable to make decisions for themselves, such as a minor child, an adult with a disability, or an incapacitated senior citizen. In California, legal guardians are appointed through a court process. To become a legal guardian, the person or organization must file an application with the court. Once the application is approved, the court grants the legal guardian the authority to make decisions for the ward, such as where and with whom they may live. The legal guardian must also perform certain duties to protect the ward, including providing for their health and safety and managing their financial affairs. Legal guardians are also responsible for providing guardianship reports to the court, which document the ward’s needs and the guardian’s efforts to meet those needs. If a guardian cannot adequately perform their duties, the court may revoke the guardianship and appoint a different guardian.

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