Which of the following is NOT a synonym for ward?

The term "Beneficiary" is not a synonym for "ward" within the context of guardianship and conservatorship. A ward typically refers to an individual who is under the protection and care of a guardian due to incapacity or other reasons that necessitate oversight. The other terms—protected person, incapacitated person, and conservatee—are closely tied to the legal definitions surrounding guardianship.

• A protected person is someone who requires assistance from a guardian or conservator due to their inability to make decisions, thus fitting within the definition of a ward.
• An incapacitated person also aligns with the concept of a ward since it refers to an individual who cannot manage their personal affairs or make informed decisions due to mental or physical conditions.
• A conservatee specifically describes a person for whom a conservatorship has been established, often overlapping with the condition of being a ward.

In contrast, a beneficiary typically refers to someone who receives benefits or assets from a trust, will, insurance policy, or similar arrangement and does not carry the protective connotations associated with being a ward. Therefore, the distinction is crucial in understanding the roles and definitions within guardianship.