Which term describes a guardian whose authority is limited to designated rights and powers by court order?

• A. Plenary guardian
• B. Emergency/temporary guardian
• C. Guardian ad litem
• D. Limited guardian

Answer: (D)

Limited guardianship describes a guardian whose authority is limited to specific rights and powers designated by the court order. The court spells out exactly which areas the guardian may decide in, such as medical care, living arrangements, or financial decisions, and those limits appear in the guardianship order. This contrasts with a plenary guardian, who has broad, almost all-encompassing authority over the ward’s life unless the order restricts it, and with an emergency or temporary guardian, who is appointed for urgent needs for a short duration. A guardian ad litem is not a long-term guardian who manages daily affairs; instead, this person is appointed to advocate for the ward’s best interests in a specific legal proceeding.