A Guardianship is a legal relationship where one person (the Guardian) is appointed by the probate court to manage the personal affairs of another person (the ward) who the court has deemed incapacitated. If a Conservator has not been appointed, a Guardian might also manage a person's financial affairs.
A Guardianship is unlike an Advance Directive or a Power of Attorney because in those instances, you chose to give authority to others; a Guardianship can be created over your objection, if the court finds that you are incapacitated and need someone to make decisions for you.
REMEMBER: If someone is trying to obtain a Guardianship for you, you have the right to an attorney. If you do not think that a Guardianship is appropriate, you need an attorney to help you. Call the Legal Services for the Elderly Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 to get free legal help.