Guardian

Guardian is one who has the care of the person or property of another confided to him. Guardians are appointed for the purpose of protecting the person, property, or rights of thoe.e who are supposed to be incapable of managing their own affairs - such as an infant or lunatic. They are of two kinds: (1) Guardians of the person or property, and (2) Guardians ad litem, (i.e. to prosecute or defend an action). As to infants, an important alteration in favour of mothers has been effected by the "Guardianship of Infants Act, 1886," by which Act it is provided that the mother may, by deed or will, appoint a guardian after her own death and the death of the father of the children, to act jointly with the guardian (if any) appointed by the father. And the mother (if she survives the father) is constituted the guardian of her infant children generally, to act jointly with the guardian (if any) appointed by the father; but in such a case the court may associate one or more guardians with her. It is also now well settled that the mother is the natural guardian of her illegitimate child. [Poor Law, Infants, Lunatics.]