--- title: Guardianship --- [**Phone:** (773) 983-9117](tel:773-983-9117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302, Glenview, IL 60025 [![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png)](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/home-page?hsLang=en) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-2-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-2-1.jpg) # Guardianship When a person is unable to handle his or her own finances or medical decisions a guardian is appointed by the probate court. A guardian may be responsible for making medical decisions, financial decisions or both, for an individual who is incapable of making these decisions. There are two basic types of guardianship: ![002-children](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/002-children.svg) Guardians for Disabled Adults ### Guardians for Disabled Adults ![010-family-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/010-family-1.svg)  Guardianship for Minor Children ###  Guardianship for Minor Children A guardian who is responsible for the financial decisions and the healthcare decisions is referred to as a general guardian and a person who has limited power to make decisions (such as only financial decisions) for a person is called a special guardian.  A guardian ad litum, who is usually a lawyer, may be appointed by the probate court to represent a legally disabled person or a minor in litigation.   A guardian at litum may also be appointed to represent unknown or unnotified heirs of an estate. Guardianship for adults and children can be simplified or eliminated through the use of a living trust, a power of attorney for health care and a power of attorney for property. ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-13](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-13.jpg) ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ![logo-footer](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-footer.png) **Disclaimer:** None of the information on this website is legal advice. The information is for informational and educational purposes. The information may also be considered marketing or advertising material. #### Sitemap - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Areas Served](https://www.jkelaw.com/areas-served) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) #### Contact Us [(773) 983-9117](tel:7739839117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302 Glenview, IL 60025 #### Follow us [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jacob.ehrensaft.9/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobehrensaft/) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:sales@jkelaw.com) © 2026 Law Offices of Jacob K. Ehrensaft, LLC All Rights Reserved. Powered By: [OneIMS](https://oneims.com)