Legal guardianship
Statutory support for adults who cannot manage their affairs themselves because of illness or disability. It exists only if necessary, and not against the person's free will.
- Also called
- guardianship, Betreuung
A legal guardianship (rechtliche Betreuung) exists only if an adult cannot manage their affairs, in whole or in part, because of illness or disability, and only if it is necessary. [1] No guardian may be appointed against the free will of the adult. [1]
Adulthood begins on completing the 18th year of life. [2] From that day, parents no longer represent their child by virtue of parental custody. [3] Legal status: 08.10.2026; not legal advice.
Sources and literature
- § 1814 BGB – Voraussetzungen der rechtlichen Betreuung. www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1814.html
- § 2 BGB – Eintritt der Volljährigkeit. www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__2.html
- § 1629 BGB – Vertretung des Kindes, Abs. 1. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1629.html
In detail: Coming of age at 18: what changes legally
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Coming of age at 18: what changes legally
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