Skip to main content
Skip to explanation
  1. Home
  2. Law Library
  3. A.R.S. § 14-5209
A.R.S. § 14-5209

Powers and Duties of a Guardian for a Minor in Arizona

Verified April 4, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

A guardian of a minor in Arizona has the same powers and responsibilities as a custodial parent when it comes to the child's support, care, and education. The guardian is not personally liable for the child's expenses. The court can also create a limited guardianship, restricting certain powers when appropriate.

Title 14, PROTECTION OF PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY AND THEIR PROPERTY

azleg.gov

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.

A. 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. B. In particular, and without qualifying the foregoing, a guardian shall: 1. Become or remain personally acquainted with the ward and maintain sufficient contact with the ward to know of the ward's capacities, limitations, needs, opportunities and physical and mental health. 2. Take reasonable care of the ward's personal effects and commence protective proceedings if necessary to protect other property of the ward. 3. Apply any available monies of the ward to the ward's current needs for support, care and education. 4. Conserve any excess monies for the ward's future needs, but if a conservator has been appointed for the estate of the ward, the guardian, at least quarterly, shall pay to the conservator money of the ward to be conserved for the ward's future needs. 5. Report the condition of the ward and of the ward's estate which has been subject to his possession or control, as ordered by the court on petition of any person interested in the ward's welfare or as required by court rule. C. A guardian may: 1. Receive monies payable for the support of the ward under the terms of any statutory benefit, insurance system, private contract, devise, trust, conservatorship or custodianship, and monies or property of the ward paid or delivered pursuant to section 14-5103. 2. Take custody of the person of the ward and establish the ward's place of residence in or outside this state, if consistent with the terms of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction relating to the detention or commitment of the ward. 3. If no conservator for the estate of the ward has been appointed, institute proceedings, including administrative proceedings, or take other appropriate action to compel the performance by any person of a duty to support the ward or to pay amounts for the welfare of the ward. 4. Facilitate the ward's education, social or other activities and consent to medical or other professional care, treatment or advice for the ward. A guardian is not liable by reason of this consent for injury to the ward resulting from the negligence or acts of third persons unless a parent would have been liable in the circumstances. 5. Consent to the marriage or adoption of the ward. 6. If reasonable, delegate to the ward certain responsibilities for decisions affecting the ward's well-being. D. A guardian is entitled to reasonable compensation for services as guardian and to reimbursement for room, board and clothing personally provided to the ward, but only as approved by order of the court. If a conservator, other than the guardian or one who is affiliated with the guardian, has been appointed for the estate of the ward, reasonable compensation and reimbursement to the guardian may be approved and paid by the conservator without order of the court. E. 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: 1. Create a limited guardianship by limiting the powers of a guardian otherwise conferred by this section. Any limitation on the statutory power of a guardian of a minor must be endorsed on the guardian's letters. 2. Remove a limitation and issue revised letters.
View on azleg.gov

This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Related Questions

What happens if I do not name a guardian for my minor children?

Without a named guardian, the court decides who raises your children. Judges do their best, but they do not know your values or wishes. Naming a guardian in your will gives you control over this decision.

How do guardianship and conservatorship proceedings work in Arizona?

Both require filing with the Arizona Superior Court, medical evidence of incapacity, and a judge's approval. The process takes months and costs thousands. Powers of attorney accomplish the same goals without court involvement.

Related Statutes

§ 14-5208What Accepting a Guardianship Appointment Means in Arizona
§ 14-5204Court Appointment of a Guardian for a Minor in Arizona
§ 14-5206Guardian Qualifications and a Minor's Right to Nominate in Arizona

Related Services

Control, clarity, and peace of mind

Will Preparation

A will puts you in control. Who gets what. Who raises your children. Who handles your affairs. Without one, the state of Arizona decides for you.

Learn more
Court-appointed protection for vulnerable individuals

Guardianship & Conservatorship

When a loved one can no longer manage their own affairs due to incapacity, guardianship and conservatorship provide a legal framework for their care and financial protection.

Learn more
Get Started Today

Need Help With Your Estate Plan?

Whether you are just getting started or reviewing an existing plan, RJP Estate Planning works hand in hand with experienced estate planning counsel to help you understand your options.

(480) 346-3570
RJP Estate Planning

Protecting Arizona families through comprehensive estate planning since 1995.

Quick Links

  • Services
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Resources
  • FAQ
  • Glossary
  • Educational Law Library
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact

Our Offices

Scottsdale Office

4110 N. Scottsdale Road Suite 170

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Tucson Office

5151 E. Broadway Blvd Suite 750

Tucson, AZ 85711

Contact Us

(480) 346-3570care@rjpaz.com

© 2026 RJP Estate Planning. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of Service

The Planning Consultants at RJP Estate Planning provide services in the areas of estate planning, planning with wills and trusts, asset protection, probate avoidance, probate & estate administration, long-term care planning, Medicaid planning, asset protection from Medicaid, veterans benefits, charitable planning, special needs, estate tax planning, and business succession planning. They serve clients and their families throughout Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Sun City, Arizona, and the surrounding cities and towns.

RJP Estate Planning is not a law firm, cannot give legal advice, and does not prepare legal documents. For legal services, clients separately consult with an estate planning attorney or law firm.

RJP-AZ, LLC (RJP Estate Planning) is licensed to offer insurance products and receive commissions for those products. Its representatives who discuss these products with you hold individual licenses.

Securities are offered through CoreCap Investments, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through CoreCap Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. RJP Estate Planning and RJP-AZ, LLC are separate and unaffiliated entities and are not affiliated with CoreCap Investments or CoreCap Advisors. Representatives that offer these services hold the required licenses.

Some products or services are provided by trusted companies/service providers. These companies/providers are separate and unaffiliated entities from RJP-AZ, LLC.