kuratel

Kuratel, in civil-law contexts, is a court-imposed protective measure under which a curator is appointed to represent and safeguard the interests of a person who cannot fully manage their personal or property affairs. It aims to balance the person’s autonomy with protection against abuse, exploitation, or mismanagement. In many jurisdictions kuratel distinguishes between two main forms: kuratel osobista (personal guardianship), covering decisions about the protected person’s person and daily life, and kuratel majątkowa (property guardianship), covering financial and property matters. In some systems, there can be a combined kuratel addressing both spheres.

A curator's powers are defined by court decision and may include representing the person in legal acts, making or ratifying decisions about medical care, housing, and education, and managing the protected person’s assets, paying bills, entering into contracts, and selling or encumbering property under supervision. The curator must act in the protected person’s best interests, keep records, report to the court, and may be subject to removal or modification.

Appointment is initiated by a petition to the competent court, often after an assessment by medical or social experts. Termination occurs when capacity is restored, the person dies, or the court determines the measure is no longer necessary. Kuratel is distinct from a general power of attorney, which is a contract-based arrangement, and from full guardianship, which entails broader and stricter control. It is used to protect vulnerable individuals while preserving as much of their autonomy as possible.