Agent –in a power of attorney, it means the person who gets the power to act on behalf of the principal.
Authority – the power to decide or give orders.
Beneficiary – a person who receives the benefits from a trust.
Cognitive -anything related to thinking, learning, and understanding. It’s how our brain helps us remember things, solve problems, and make decisions.
Conservator – a person or organization appointed by the court to have control of the property and money of a person.
Conservatorship – the court case where a person or organization is appointed to have control of the property and money of a person.
Durable –in a power of attorney, it means a power of attorney that continues even when the person cannot make decisions for themselves.
Functional capacity -a person’s ability to meet personal needs or take action to have needs met. The court looks at:
- how well the individual can perform activities to meet their needs, and
- how much help is needed with decision-making.
Grantor –a person who creates a trust.
Guardian – a person or organization appointed by the court to have control of a person and make decisions for that person.
Guardianship – the court case where a person or organization is appointed to have control of a person and make decisions for that person.
Incompetent- Iowa law has a definition of incompetence. It focuses on a person’s decision-making ability and whether the person’s decisions will cause physical injury or illness. Just because someone disagrees with your decision doesn’t mean you need someone to make decisions for you or that you are incompetent.
Principal –in a power of attorney, it means the person who gives power to another to act for them.
Prognosis –predicting how someone will recover from an illness.
Protected Person- a person who is under a guardianship or conservatorship.
Third-party assistance- help that a person receives from friends, family or service providers which allows them to make appropriate personal and financial decisions.
Trustee – a person or financial institution which holds and manages the property in a trust.
For more information on guardianship and conservatorship, download a brochure here.