Guardianship
Guardianship is when an individual is determined to be incapacitated and another individual, usually a family member, is appointed by the court to make health care and placement decisions for the incapacitated individual.

Conservatorship
Conservatorship is when an individual is determined to be incapacitated and another individual is appointed by the court to manage that the incapacitated person’s finances.

In Maryland, the terms are “Guardianship of the Person” and “Guardianship of the Property.”  The procedures for both Maryland and the District require the person petitioning the court to present medical evidence of the subject’s incapacity.  An attorney is appointed for the allegedly incapacitated individual so that the subject can present evidence contesting the determination of incapacity or advocating a certain individual as guardian.