Guardianships can be put in place for both children and adults and can be used to protect them physically as well as to protect their assets.

These are proceedings that allow someone to be appointed to take care of or protect another person who can’t take care of themselves.

For children, guardianships can be established for children whose parents haven’t been divorced or haven’t established paternity in a paternity case.

If there is already a court case that protects the child (for instance a divorce or paternity case), then something must be filed in that existing case rather than filing a new guardianship case.
For adults, guardianship can be established when there is a disability, illness or injury that prevents them from being able to care for their own basic needs or make decisions about their care.