> [!info] Personal working space > This is my personal working space. The final version of this page is at: > https://atharkhan.com/glossary/ward-of-the-court/ “Ward” depends on the proceeding. Do not use it as a synonym for every child involved in court. ## Working notes A [[Minor]] under guardianship may be called a ward. [[Juvenile Court]] wardship under [[Cal. Welf. and Inst. Code § 602]] concerns specified criminal-law violations; dependency concerns protection from abuse or neglect. Other wardship grounds also exist. A custody case between parents does not automatically make the child a ward. Read the order and identify who has decision-making authority. > [!tip] Terminology > Keep guardianship, juvenile wardship, and dependency distinct in examples.