What it is: a legal arrangement in which a court appoints an adult to care for and make decisions on behalf of a child when the child’s parents are unable or unavailable to do so.
A guardian may be responsible for the child’s education, healthcare, daily care, and overall well-being — depending on the type of guardianship the court grants.
Common situations: a parent’s death, incapacity, military deployment, or unfitness. A will can nominate a guardian; the court gives that nomination heavy weight but still must find it in the child’s best interests.
Watch out for: a guardian of the person is not the same as an adoptive parent — parental rights may still exist. And if the parents become able again, the arrangement can change. Plan for both the child’s home and their money (see guardianship of the estate).