The level of authority that a guardian possesses will depend on the type of guardianship that is granted. There are three types that allow for the guardian to make certain decisions. Those three versions include: nnGuardianship over a person:nIn this situation, the guardian is responsible for the health and well-being of their charge. They are entrusted with making major life decisions involving health care decisions, decisions about where the person will live, and in the case of children, decisions regarding school.nGuardianship over the estate:nThis person must be appointed by the court and is responsible with only the financial aspects of a person’s life. They can make decisions involving their finances but not their medical or life decisions.nGuardianship over the person and estate:nIn this arrangement, the guardian has authority over a person and their possessions. They can make personal, medical, and financial decisions for the protected person.nThe courts will be asked to assign a guardian when there is a dispute that cannot be resolved. The courts will occasionally appoint an unrelated individual such as a caretaker to take on the role of a guardian. A lawyer can help draw up the petition papers for those looking to have a guardian appointed for a loved one.