Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 14-102

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Person: includes an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, corporation, partnership, business trust, statutory trust, limited liability company, firm, association, or other nongovernmental entity. See
  • state: means :

    (1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

    (2) the District of Columbia. See
(a) It is the policy of the State that adults who lack the physical or mental capacity to care for their basic daily living needs shall have access to and be provided with needed professional services sufficient to protect their health, safety, and welfare.

(b) The General Assembly intends that the provisions for appointment of public officials as guardian of the person be used sparingly and with utmost caution and only if an alternative does not exist.