What is a legal guardian?

A legal guardian is a person appointed by a court to care for and make decisions for another person. In North Carolina, a legal guardian must be 18 or older and may be a family member or another interested party. The court will consider the best interests of the person in need of guardianship and may appoint either an individual or a pair of co-guardians. The legal guardian is responsible for making decisions about the person’s medical care, education, daily activities, and living arrangements. The guardian also has the authority to manage the guardianship person’s finances, though there are strict rules to follow to ensure the proper use of funds. A guardianship can be temporary or permanent. If the court deems it necessary, the guardianship may end when the person turns 18. In other cases, the guardianship may continue beyond the guardianship person’s 18th birthday. In North Carolina, legal guardians may be required to report annually on the guardianship person’s daily living arrangements, medical care, mental health, and other matters. In the best case scenario, a guardianship allows the person under guardianship to maintain autonomy and independence while ensuring that the guardian is taking necessary steps to keep the person safe and well-cared for.

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What is a legal guardian?

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