The Guardian's Core Responsibilities
Arizona law gives a guardian of a minor essentially the same role as a custodial parent. The guardian is responsible for the child's support, care, and education. That includes staying personally acquainted with the child, understanding their needs and health, and applying available funds to current care expenses.
A guardian of a minor has the powers and responsibilities of a custodial parent regarding the ward's support, care and education. A guardian is not personally liable for the ward's expenses and is not liable to third persons by reason of the relationship for acts of the ward.
A.R.S. § 14-5209(A)The guardian must also take reasonable care of the child's personal property and conserve any excess funds for future needs. If a conservator has been appointed separately for the child's estate, the guardian pays excess money to the conservator at least quarterly.
What a Guardian Can Do
Beyond the basic duties, the law gives guardians broad authority. A guardian can receive money payable for the child's support from benefits, insurance, trusts, or custodianships. They can establish the child's residence inside or outside Arizona. They can consent to medical care, facilitate education, and even consent to the child's marriage or adoption.
The guardian can also delegate age-appropriate decisions to the child when reasonable, supporting the child's growing independence.
In the interest of developing self-reliance on the part of a ward or for other good cause, the court, at the time of appointment or later, on its own motion or on appropriate petition or motion of the minor or other interested person may create a limited guardianship by limiting the powers of a guardian otherwise conferred by this section.
A.R.S. § 14-5209(E)(1)A limited guardianship can be tailored to the child's situation. The court can restrict specific powers at the time of appointment or later, and any limitation must be noted on the guardian's letters. This flexibility allows the arrangement to evolve as the child's circumstances change.

