Guardianship
A guardianship proceeding is brought before a court to authorize a third person custody and control of a minor. The proceeding is generally filed with the probate court of the county of the minor's residence. The person for whose benefit a guardian is appointed is called the "ward."

Guardianships are generally for children, whose parents are dead, missing or the parental custody is detrimental to the children.

Guardianships can be for persons over eighteen years old who are declared mentally or physically incapacitated.