What is a guardianship?

A guardianship is a legal relationship in which one person, known as the guardian, is given the power to make decisions and take actions on behalf of another person, known as the ward, which includes managing the ward’s money and property. Guardianship is usually required for people who cannot make decisions for themselves. In West Virginia, a guardianship is a court-supervised relationship between the guardian and the ward. In many cases, a guardianship is needed when the ward is a minor, often after the death of the ward’s parents. In this case, the court will appoint a guardian to make decisions for the ward until the ward reaches the age of 18. The guardian will be given authority to make decisions regarding the ward’s education, medical care, and other matters. In some cases, a guardianship may also be needed for adults who are not able to care for themselves due to physical or mental incapacity. In this case, the guardian will be granted the authority to make decisions on behalf of the ward, such as where the ward will live and how the ward’s money and property will be managed. In West Virginia, a guardianship is established through a process of legal proceedings and is closely monitored by the court. The court must approve of any decisions the guardian makes, and the guardian is required to provide regular reports to the court regarding the ward’s well-being and the use of the ward’s money and property.

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