A legal guardian is someone who has been given a court order to have legal control over another person. This other person is referred to as the “ward”. The guardianship may give the guardian permanent or temporary control over the ward’s property, physical person, or both. This is normally done in the case of a minor child or otherwise incapacitated individual.‍Minor children are usually placed under a guardianship when their parents are impaired by a disability, are incarcerated, are deceased, have abandoned them, have an addiction problem, have failed to properly care for the child, or have consented to the guardianship for other reasons.‍

An incapacitated individual is someone who lacks sufficient understanding, or capacity to make or communicate decisions, to meet the essential requirements for their health, safety, or to manage their estate.‍Guardians are often times related to the individual needing care, although a biological relationship is not required. In order to be a guardian in Arkansas, you must: be a resident of Arkansas, be 18 years of age, be of sound mind, and not be a convicted felon.‍