What is a Ward? — a Protected Person? — a Guardian? — a Conservator? — a Testator? — a Personal Representative? — a Fiduciary?

Some of the various fiduciary designations used in legal proceedings are:

  • Fiduciary –  a generic term describing an individual or institution under an obligation to act in the best interest of another party. §14-10002 of the Arizona Revised Statutes reads, “′Fiduciary′ means a personal representative, trustee, agent acting under a power of attorney, or other person authorized to act as a fiduciary with respect to the property of another person.”
  • Ward – an individual who has been declared incapacitated by a court
  • Protected Person – an individual who is not declared incapacitated but needs assistance
  • Guardian – an individual or institution responsible for the well-being, medical, and personal decisions of a ward or protected person
  • Conservator – an individual or institution responsible for the assets of a ward or protected person
  • Testator – an individual who makes a Will
  • Personal Representative – an individual or institution responsible for handling the assets of a deceased individual