Estate Planning Newsletter

Obligations of a Guardian

In certain cases, a minor may need to be assigned a legal guardian either because a parent is not able to care for the minor, or because the existing guardian is not competent. When a guardian is appointed, he/she will have the same custodial rights as the minor's parent.

Guardians are appointed by a court, upon application or nomination and approval, or the court may select and appoint an appropriate guardian at its discretion.

Types of Guardians

Guardian of the person:

• Provides or arranges for the minor's residence
• Arranges for medical treatment for the minor

Guardian of the estate:

• Manages the minor's property
• Invests the minor's money
• Provides financial support and educational opportunities to the minor

Guardian of the person and estate

• Has the combined powers of the above 2 types of guardians (custody and management of property)

Guardian of specific property:

• Cares for certain item(s) of property belonging to the minor

Guardian ad Litem:

• Appointed for limited, short-term purpose of prosecuting or defending a legal proceeding on behalf of the minor

Guardianship Not Permitted

• A minor cannot have a guardian if he/she is married or has been married
• If the minor has been married but cannot care for himself/herself, a conservator may be appointed

Termination

A guardianship will end upon the occurrence of one of the following:

• The minor dies
• The minor becomes 18 years old
• The guardian dies
• Resignation or removal of the guardian
• A court order terminating the guardianship

© 2025 NextClient.com, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Probate: Settling Affairs After Death
  Probate, a Latin term meaning “to prove the will,” is a court-supervised process that settles a person’s affairs after death. To ensure that the decedent’s final matters and wishes are handled correctly... Read more.
• Use of Foreign Trusts to Protect Against Creditors
  In today’s litigious society more individuals are inquiring about asset protection planning, especially those individuals with a high risk of potential exposure to liability, such as business owners, doctors, or those involved in... Read more.
• The Charitable Deduction for Non-Resident Aliens
  Taxpayers who make contributions to qualified charitable organizations are entitled to a tax benefit in the form of a charitable deduction on their income taxes. However, the issue becomes more complex when a non-U.S. citizen makes a... Read more.
• Life Insurance Benefits
  There are numerous uses for life insurance. Some are obvious; others are very creative. Some of the most common uses include paying estate taxes, estate administration, inheritance equalizing and many others. Estate Taxes... Read more.

• Supreme Court Rules Families Can Sue Over Wrong-House Raids
• Unanimous Supreme Court Eases Standards in Disability Education Cases
• Russian-born Harvard Researcher Faces Federal Smuggling Charges, Released on Bail
• Harvey Weinstein Convicted on One Count, Acquitted on Another in New York Retrial
• Johnny Winter’s Former Managers Ordered to Pay $226K in Estate Dispute