Huollettava

Huollettava is a Finnish legal term referring to a person who is under guardianship or care of another person or institution. The status typically applies to minors, or to adults who cannot manage their personal, financial, or legal affairs due to illness, disability, or other circumstances. Guardianship and the rights of the ward are governed by the Holhouslaki (Guardianship Act) in Finland.

The guardian (huoltaja) is appointed to safeguard the huollettavan interests and to manage matters on their behalf. Duties may include caring for the person and, where applicable, the ward’s property, making decisions in personal matters, and representing the huollettava in legal proceedings. The huollettava retains certain rights and should participate in decisions to the extent possible, with the guardian acting in the ward’s best interests and in accordance with the law. Guardianship can be full or partial and may be adjusted or terminated by a court when circumstances change, such as when capacity is regained or the ward reaches adulthood with sufficient capacity.

In practice, the term is used in legal and social welfare contexts to denote someone under protective arrangements, such as a child in state care or an adult requiring support. In everyday language, more common terms may be used, such as lapsi for a child or asiakas for a client of social services, depending on the context.