National Guardianship Association
Terminology Exam 2025-2026
Advocate
A person who assists, defends, or pleads, or prosecutes for another.
Alleged Incapacitated Person or Person at Risk
Individual for whom a guardianship proceeding has been initiated.
Arms Length Relationship
A relationship between two agencies or organizations, or two divisions or
departments within one agency,which ensures independent decision-making on the
part of both.
Attorney at law
A person who practices law.
,Attorney for the Alleged Incapacitated Person
An attorney who represents the alleged incapacitated person. Such attorney shall
represent the
expressed wishes of the alleged incapacitated person.
Best Interest
That course of action that maximizes what is best for a ward and that includes
consideration of the least
intrusive, most normalizing, and least restrictive course of action possible given the
needs of the ward.
Capacity
Legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness. Ability to understand the nature
of the effects of one's
acts.
Adjudication
The legal process of resolving a dispute; the process of judicially deciding a case.
Administrator/Executor/Personal Representative
,A person appointed by the court to manage the assets and liabilities of an intestate
decedent. Executor is a person named by the testator to carry out the provisions in
the testator's will.
Advance Directive
A written instruction, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health
care, which guides care when an individual is terminally ill or incapacitated and
unable to communicate his/her desires.
Decisional Capacity
The ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of a decision
and to reach and
communicate an informed decision in the matter.
Certified Guardian
The Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC) administers a national
certification program for
guardians. Several states also have their own certification, registration or licensing
programs for
guardians, fiduciaries and conservators. While state laws vary regarding the
requirements for a guardian
, to be appointed, the certification from the CGC sets a guardian apart from non-
certified guardians as
someone who has met nationally recognized requirements including a minimum
level of knowledge and
experience in guardianship services.
National Certified Guardian
A National Certified Guardian designation is granted to individuals who have met
the minimum
eligibility standards for CGC Certification including the necessary training and
testing
requirements. The designation must be renewed every two years as long as
eligibility and
continuing education requirements are met.
Clerk of Court
A court officer responsible for filing papers, issuing process, and keeping records
of court proceedings as
generally specified by rule or statue.
Competence
Terminology Exam 2025-2026
Advocate
A person who assists, defends, or pleads, or prosecutes for another.
Alleged Incapacitated Person or Person at Risk
Individual for whom a guardianship proceeding has been initiated.
Arms Length Relationship
A relationship between two agencies or organizations, or two divisions or
departments within one agency,which ensures independent decision-making on the
part of both.
Attorney at law
A person who practices law.
,Attorney for the Alleged Incapacitated Person
An attorney who represents the alleged incapacitated person. Such attorney shall
represent the
expressed wishes of the alleged incapacitated person.
Best Interest
That course of action that maximizes what is best for a ward and that includes
consideration of the least
intrusive, most normalizing, and least restrictive course of action possible given the
needs of the ward.
Capacity
Legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness. Ability to understand the nature
of the effects of one's
acts.
Adjudication
The legal process of resolving a dispute; the process of judicially deciding a case.
Administrator/Executor/Personal Representative
,A person appointed by the court to manage the assets and liabilities of an intestate
decedent. Executor is a person named by the testator to carry out the provisions in
the testator's will.
Advance Directive
A written instruction, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health
care, which guides care when an individual is terminally ill or incapacitated and
unable to communicate his/her desires.
Decisional Capacity
The ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of a decision
and to reach and
communicate an informed decision in the matter.
Certified Guardian
The Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC) administers a national
certification program for
guardians. Several states also have their own certification, registration or licensing
programs for
guardians, fiduciaries and conservators. While state laws vary regarding the
requirements for a guardian
, to be appointed, the certification from the CGC sets a guardian apart from non-
certified guardians as
someone who has met nationally recognized requirements including a minimum
level of knowledge and
experience in guardianship services.
National Certified Guardian
A National Certified Guardian designation is granted to individuals who have met
the minimum
eligibility standards for CGC Certification including the necessary training and
testing
requirements. The designation must be renewed every two years as long as
eligibility and
continuing education requirements are met.
Clerk of Court
A court officer responsible for filing papers, issuing process, and keeping records
of court proceedings as
generally specified by rule or statue.
Competence
