In case law, guardianship is defined as a legal relationship established by a court in which an individual or entity (the guardian) is appointed to make decisions on behalf of another person (the ward) who is deemed incapable of managing their own affairs due to incapacity, minority, or disability. The guardian’s authority may extend to personal, financial, or medical decisions, depending on the type of guardianship and the ward’s needs. Guardianship is designed to protect the ward’s interests while balancing their autonomy to the extent possible.