In many Delaware guardianship cases, one person is appointed to serve as both guardian of the person and guardian of the property. But those two roles are different, and each carries its own responsibilities.

A guardian of the person is responsible for the disabled adult’s physical care and daily well-being. That may mean making sure they are in the right living arrangement, whether that is at home, with family, in a nursing home, or somewhere in between. It also means making sure their basic needs are being met. Can they feed themselves? Bathe? Dress? Walk safely? Take medication correctly? Those are the kinds of practical, day-to-day concerns a guardian of the person is expected to oversee.

A guardian of the property handles the financial side. That means managing and protecting the person’s income, bank accounts, home, and other assets. In many guardianship cases, the person is no longer able to keep track of money, protect themselves from financial harm, or manage their own property safely. A guardian of the property steps in to preserve what they have and make sure it is used appropriately for their care and support.

Both roles are about protection, but they focus on different kinds of risk. One is centered on the person’s physical needs and living situation. The other is centered on financial safety, income, and property. In some families, one person can handle both. In others, it may be worth thinking more carefully about who is best suited for each role.

If you are trying to understand what kind of guardianship may be needed in your family, the answer often depends on what help your loved one needs most and who is in the best position to provide it. I can help you sort through whether the concern is personal care, finances, or both, and what that may mean in a Delaware guardianship case.