Adoption, guardianship, and conservatorships are legal concepts that deal with different forms of legal authority and responsibility over individuals, particularly minors or incapacitated adults.

1. Adoption refers to the legal process through which a person or a couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child who is not their biological child. It establishes a permanent legal relationship between the adoptive parent(s) and the child, granting them all the rights, duties, and responsibilities of a biological parent.

2. Guardianship, on the other hand, involves the appointment of a legal guardian to care for and make decisions on behalf of a minor child or an incapacitated adult who cannot make decisions for themselves. A guardian is entrusted with providing for the personal and/or financial well-being of the individual under their care.

3. Conservatorship, also known as guardianship of the estate, pertains specifically to the management of the financial affairs and assets of an individual who is unable to manage their own finances, typically due to age, disability, or incapacity. A conservator is appointed by the court to make financial decisions and protect the assets of the individual under their conservatorship.