guardian > define

noun

• A person who cares for persons or property.
  • synonyms: defender, protector, shielder

• (a.) Performing or appropriate to, the office of a protector; as, a guardian care.
• (v.t.) One who guards, preserves or secures; one to whom any person or thing is committed for protection, security or preservation from injury; a warden.
• (v.t.) One who has or is entitled to, the custody of the person or property of an infant, a minor without living parents or a person incapable of managing his own affairs.

guardian is a person, appointed by court or by will, given the lawful custody and care of the person or property of another (called a ward). The ward might be a minor, an insane person or even a spendthrift. The guardian may, upon court approval and without necessity of obtaining a real estate license, sell the ward's property if it is in the best interest of the ward.