Guardianships occur when a court appoints a guardian, or representative, to make fundamental decisions on behalf of a person determined unable to do so for themselves, due to disability or illness. Sometimes the appointed guardian may not reflect the actual wishes of the incapacitated person, who is unfortunately not able to contest the guardian's appointment.
Planning ahead of time with properly executed powers of attorney or advanced health care directives can circumvent the need for a guardianship, and ensure that you have more input relating to decisions made on your behalf should you ever be unable to make them directly.