Agent: One who has permission to act.
Attorney Ad Litem: A lawyer appointed by the court to represent the potential ward during the guardianship proceeding. Serves as disinterested person for an objective investigation.
Bond: An insurance policy required by the court in an amount set by the judge to cover the assets of the estate.
Conservatee: A minor being protected.
Conservator: Legally appointed protector; preserver of a minor.
Conservatorship: A legal relationship between the conservator and the conservatee.
Durable Power of Attorney: A document executed authorizing another person to act as agent which continues in effect upon the onset of incapacity of the principal.
Estate: Denotes the real and personal property of a ward.
Fiduciary: A person or entity to whom property management or other responsibility is entrusted.
Guardian: A person who is appointed by the probate court to protect the property and/or person of one who does not have capacity to protect his or her own interests.
Guardian Ad Litem: A disinterested person who is appointed by the court on behalf of the ward to represent the ward’s best interest.
Guardian of the Estate: A person or entity who is responsible for managing the financial affairs of the ward, e.g., paying the bills, collecting benefits, selling property.
Guardian of the Person: A person who is responsible for and who advocates for the health and well-being of the ward.
Incapacitated Person: An adult, who because of physical or mental condition, is substantially unable to feed, clothe, or shelter himself/herself, to care for his/her physical health, or to manage his/her financial affairs.
Letter of Guardianship: An official letter issued by the County Clerk’s office which is written evidence of the appointment and authority of the guardian to act for the ward.
Oath: A sworn statement made by the guardian in writing in which he or she swears to fulfill their obligation.
Probate: Relating to a matter or proceeding involving a guardianship or an estate of a decedent.
Payee: A person who receives and disburses the ward’s Social Security income or SSI outside of the jurisdiction of the court.
Probable Cause: A reasonable ground for supposing that an allegation is well founded.
Principal: The person from whom an agent’s authority is derived.
Surrogate: One appointed to act in place of another.
Testator: A person who dies leaving a Will.
Trust: A legal method used to manage and distribute property without a guardianship.
Ward: A person who has been found some measure of incapacity to care for him/herself or to manage their own property of financial affairs.
Guardian of the Person and of the Estate: A person who acts in both capacities of a ward