The Guardian's Core Responsibilities
Arizona law gives a guardian of a minor 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. These duties continue until the child turns 18 or the court ends the guardianship.
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. They must 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. The guardian must report the condition of the ward as ordered by the court.
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, help with education, and even consent to the child's marriage or adoption.
Guardianship of a minor is different from guardianship of an incapacitated adult, though some family law principles overlap. In both cases, the court maintains oversight. The guardian can 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. Any limitation must be noted on the guardian's letters. This flexibility allows the arrangement to evolve as the child's circumstances change.