A court-appointed person charged with caring for the estate and/or person of another living person (the ward). Sometimes there are two guardians appointed: one to care for the estate (property of ward, both real and personal) and one to care for the person. This is most common when a financial institution is handling the money, but is not equipped to handle matters of personal care. Reasons for appointing a guardian in Wisconsin: proposed ward is a minor (less than age 18), a spendthrift, or an incompetent (mentally, not physically). Contrast with Guardian ad Litem: A person appointed by the court (judge) during litigation (court case) to represent the interests of a minor or an incompetent.