I want to ask a simple question. Just what is the relation of a guardian to the ward? Certainly, it is a fiduciary relationship, with the guardian having a duty of care and loyalty to the ward, but that does not quite capture it. A guardian is a particular type of fiduciary; one different in authority and accountability from, say, a trustee acting under a trust instrument or a corporate director whose authority derives from the shareholders and who is accountable to them. The fiduciary duties of both a trustee and corporate director are created by private arrangements. Courts become involved, if at all, only when the private arrangement breaks down—when those to whom the fiduciary owes a relationship, the shareholder or the beneficiary of the trust, do not receive satisfaction from the fiduciary.