Estate planning guide

Guardianship Guide

Guardianship: care, education, medical, and family-contact information

By Planning and checklists editor Published August 13, 2026 How we edit

General legal information only. Check the controlling document and current law before acting.

A guardian is responsible for personal or care decisions within authority defined by law and any court order.

What this topic controls

  • A parent's nomination in a will is important evidence but does not eliminate the court's best-interest review.

Records to organize

  • guardian nominations and backup choices
  • care, education, medical, and family-contact information

Questions to verify

  • Does the proposed guardian understand the role and location issues?
  • Who would manage money separately for the protected person?

Risks to pause on

  • Naming one person without a backup or without discussing the role can leave a court with little practical guidance.

Primary references