Guardianship is a legal proceeding available when a person cannot act for himself or herself. It is most commonly needed when an elderly person is no longer able to make health care and/or financial decisions. A guardianship may also become necessary when a disabled child turns 18, so that the parents can continue to make health care and financial decisions on behalf of the child. The person who is appointed by the Court is called a guardian. The guardian’s authority is limited to those areas of life in which the evidence proves the person is incapacitated.