What is a guardian?

• A. A family member who visits the ward frequently.
• B. An individual, organization, or state agency appointed by the probate court to make decisions on behalf of a ward.
• C. A social worker assigned to the ward's case.
• D. A physician who oversees medical treatment.

Answer: (B)

A guardian is a person or organization given legal authority by the probate court to make decisions for someone who cannot manage their own affairs. This authority comes from a court order on behalf of a ward, and it can cover personal care, housing, finances, or both, depending on the type of guardianship granted. This role is different from a family member who merely visits or a social worker who handles case management, and from a physician who oversees medical treatment—those roles do not confer the court-appointed decision-making power that a guardian holds.