Impeachment
A person who has been appointed by a judge to take care of a minor child or incompetent adult (both called “ward”) personally and/or manage that person’s affairs. to become a guardian of a child either the party intending to be the guardian or another family member, a close friend or a local official responsible for a minor’s welfare will petition the court to appoint the guardian. in the case of a minor, the guardianship remains under court supervision until the child reaches majority at 18. naming someone in a will as guardian of one’s child in case of the death of the parent is merely a nomination. the judge does not have to honor that request, although he/she usually does. sadly, often a parent must petition to become the guardian of his/her child’s “estate” if the child inherits or receives a gift of substantial assets, including the situation in which a parent gives his/her own child an interest in real property or stocks. therefore, that type of gift should be avoided and a trust created instead. while the term “guardian” may refer to someone who is appointed to care for and/or handle the affairs of a person who is incompetent or incapable of administering his/her affairs, this is more often called a “conservator” under a conservatorship.
