Legal guardian, also called a personal or custodial guardian, is someone who has the legal authority and responsibility to care for a minor. The duties of a guardian are like your duties as a parent. However, if your child is in a legal guardian’s care, they aren’t considered the guardian’s child. Instead, your child would be their ward. Wards can also be incapacitated adults or those with disabilities — and you can nominate a guardian for them as well.

Guardianship laws vary by state, but a legal guardian generally has the authority and responsibility to provide for their ward’s care and upbringing. Like a parent, a legal guardian should provide for daily and long-term needs, including: Food Shelter Education Clothing Medical and dental care Physical and emotional safety

Legal guardians often provide financial support to those under their care, though they may not have authority over the ward’s money or property. Those responsibilities may instead fall to a conservator