guardianship
n.n. the legal right and duty to care for someone who cannot take care of themselves, like a child or a person with a mental illness. It can also mean the protection of a place or a set of rules.
n. the legal status or duty of a person or institution to care for and protect another person or entity. Often refers to the legal relationship between a guardian and a minor or an incapacitated adult.
The court granted her legal guardianship of her nephew.
The local council established guardianship over the historic park to ensure it remained open to the public.
In many jurisdictions, the transfer of guardianship requires a formal court hearing to determine that the new guardian is capable of making sound decisions for the ward's welfare.
From guardian + -ship.