Guardian of the estate is a guardian who is appointed by the court to take care of the estate of a ward. S/he possesses any or all powers and rights with regard to the property of the ward.

A guardian of the estate is appointed by a probate court to manage the financial affairs of a ward who the court has determined is either incompetent or a spendthrift. The guardian of the estate may not have authority over personal and health care decisions of the ward if not appointed as the ward’s guardian of the person also. The letters of guardianship issued to the guardian by the court states the scope of the guardian’s authority.