Advocate

One that pleads the case of another; standing up for; similar to having an “encourager” or “loyalist” on your side.

Capacity Evaluation

An evaluation intended to determine the decision-making capability of another which may be related to financial, healthcare or personal decisions; often done prior to or in conjunction with a hearing for guardianship and/or conservatorship.

Care Management

A highly personalized service intended to maximize independence, quality of life, and safety for a vulnerable person; the coordination and/or brokering of all services being provided to the individual.

Care Planning

A process of planning care, generally for an individual in need of care; includes assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation.

Cognitive

Pertains to the processes of perception, memory, judgement, and reasoning; often referred to as cognitive functioning.

Conservator

An individual or entity appointed by the court to make decisions related to the management of the estate of the client (protected person), which includes making financial decisions and protecting property and other assets.

Conservatorship

The court-appointment of a conservator to make decisions related to the management of the client’s (protected person) estate.

Court Visitor

A specific and unique role, defined by a Court Order, outlining specific tasks related to a specific individual; the role of a Court Visitor is generally time-limited and task-specific.

Exploitation

Unfair treatment in some way or use of a situation in a way that is wrong in order to gain some personal benefit; often used in the sense of a financial exploitation.

Fiduciary

An individual, agency, or organization that has agreed to undertake (for another) a special obligation of trust and confidence, having the duty to act primarily for another’s benefit and subject to an assumed high standard of care and loyalty imposed by law or contract.

Geriatric

Relating to an aged individual or to characteristics of the aging process.

Gerontologist

An individual who has studied/mastered the biological, psychological, and sociological phenomena associated with old age and aging.

Guardian

An individual or entity appointed by the court to make decisions about the personal care of the client (protected person) including health care, living arrangements and other personal issues.

Guardianship

The court-appointment of a guardian to make personal decisions on behalf of a protected person; types of guardianship include plenary (full) or limited (as in limited to certain decisions).

Healthcare Power of Attorney

A written authorization by one party (the “principal”) to have another party (the “agent”) act on their behalf for healthcare affairs; the agent can make health-related decisions on behalf of the principal when the principal becomes incapacitated.

Incapacitated

A term that denotes an individual who is incapable of decision-making for some aspect of their lives, such as the management of their finances or personal life.

Personal Representative

Named or nominated in a Will or appointed by a Judge with a duty to administer and distribute the estate in accordance with the probate law and the Will (formerly known as ‘executor’ or ‘administrator’).

Power of Attorney (POA)

A written authorization by one party (the “principal”) to have another party (the “agent”) act on their behalf in private or other business affairs; if the POA is for financial matters, it is often referred to as a financial power of attorney.

Testamentary Capacity

A legal term to describe whether an individual has the legal and/or mental ability to make or alter a Will, Trust (or related document).

Trustee

A person or agency that is appointed to oversee the management and distribution of property and assets owned by a Trust; Trustee is obligated to administer the Trust in accordance with the terms of the Trust and the governing law.