Legal Guardianship

A legal guardian can be appointed either at the request of the ward or by a court decision. The ward can create a guardianship authorization, allowing them to designate a preferred guardian for the future. If the ward is unable to make this decision themselves, the court may appoint a guardian based on an application.

A public guardian, unlike a personal guardian, is a public authority or a private service provider (outsourced service) who acts as a guardian for multiple individuals. Public guardians are typically appointed by municipal guardianship offices, which operate in every municipality. A public guardian is usually appointed when the ward cannot designate a suitable person or when no appropriate relative is available.

The responsibilities and duties of a public guardian are the same as those of a personal guardian, but their activities are often subject to stricter oversight because they manage the affairs of multiple individuals simultaneously. The Digital and Population Data Agency supervises guardians to ensure they act in the ward’s best interest and comply with the law. Guardians must submit an annual report on their activities and the management of the ward’s assets.