Legal Definitions - natural guardian

A natural guardian is a person who has legal authority and duty to care for another person or their property, especially if the person is a minor, incapacitated, or disabled. The term is also known as a custodian or guardian.

For example, a father or mother is usually the natural guardian of their child until the child reaches the age of 21. If one parent dies, the other parent becomes the natural guardian. In the absence of a statute, the father of a legitimate child is the natural guardian until the child reaches the age of 21.

Another example is a standby guardian, who is appointed by a parent to assume responsibility for a child at a future date if the parent becomes incapable of caring for the child.

These examples illustrate how a natural guardian has the legal authority and duty to care for another person, especially if the person is a minor, incapacitated, or disabled.