Pennsylvania · Through 2026-03-18 (Statute Update stamp, 20 Pa.C.S.)

20 Pa.C.S. § 5902: Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Adult." An individual who has attained 18 years of age.
"Conservator." A person appointed by the court to administer the property of an adult, including a person appointed under Chapter 55 (relating to incapacitated persons) as the guardian of the estate of an adult.
"Guardian." A person appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the person of an adult, including a person appointed under Chapter 55 (relating to incapacitated persons) as the guardian of the person of an adult.
"Guardianship order." An order appointing a guardian.
"Guardianship proceeding." A judicial proceeding in which an order for the appointment of a guardian is sought or has been issued.
"Incapacitated person." An adult for whom a guardian has been appointed.
"Party." The respondent, petitioner, guardian, conservator or any other person allowed by the court to participate in a guardianship or protective proceeding.
"Person." Notwithstanding 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 (relating to definitions) and except in the term "incapacitated person" or "protected person," any:
(1) individual;
(2) corporation;
(3) business trust;
(4) estate;
(5) trust;
(6) partnership;
(7) limited liability company;
(8) association;
(9) joint venture;
(10) public corporation;
(11) government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality; or
(12) other legal or commercial entity.
"Protected person." An adult for whom a protective order has been issued.
"Protective order." An order appointing a conservator or other order related to management of an adult's property.
"Protective proceeding." A judicial proceeding in which a protective order is sought or has been issued.
"Record." Information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
"Respondent." An adult for whom a protective order or the appointment of a guardian is sought.
"State." A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES
CHAPTER 59 UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION
SUBCHAPTER A GENERAL PROVISIONS

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Adult." An individual who has attained 18 years of age.

"Conservator." A person appointed by the court to administer the property of an adult, including a person appointed under Chapter 55 (relating to incapacitated persons) as the guardian of the estate of an adult.

"Guardian." A person appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the person of an adult, including a person appointed under Chapter 55 (relating to incapacitated persons) as the guardian of the person of an adult.

"Guardianship order." An order appointing a guardian.

"Guardianship proceeding." A judicial proceeding in which an order for the appointment of a guardian is sought or has been issued.

"Incapacitated person." An adult for whom a guardian has been appointed.

"Party." The respondent, petitioner, guardian, conservator or any other person allowed by the court to participate in a guardianship or protective proceeding.

"Person." Notwithstanding 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 (relating to definitions) and except in the term "incapacitated person" or "protected person," any:

(1) individual;

(2) corporation;

(3) business trust;

(4) estate;

(5) trust;

(6) partnership;

(7) limited liability company;

(8) association;

(9) joint venture;

(10) public corporation;

(11) government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality; or

(12) other legal or commercial entity.

"Protected person." An adult for whom a protective order has been issued.

"Protective order." An order appointing a conservator or other order related to management of an adult's property.

"Protective proceeding." A judicial proceeding in which a protective order is sought or has been issued.

"Record." Information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

"Respondent." An adult for whom a protective order or the appointment of a guardian is sought.

"State." A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Collected 2026-09-02T16:31:33Z. Source file · JSON

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