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While the concepts are analogous, there are important differences, but in many guardianships, the guardian has the same rights and powers as a parent has over an unemancipated (or minor) child.

You can nominate a guardian in your Will or other estate planning documents, but the Court ultimately chooses who will be your guardian (or the guardian of your minor child).

Regarding minor children, custody typically involves a biological parent while guardianship usually involves a third party that is not a biological parent. Guardianship of minor children normally occurs when both of their biological parents are deceased, unfit, or unwilling to care for them. One notable exception is when a minor child inherits or is awarded money or property, because they cannot accept it in their own name. In this situation, the minor child needs a guardian of property to manage that inheritance or award. Oftentimes, a parent is appointed their guardian of property for this purpose

Peace of mind in knowing your wishes for your assets will be fulfilled and overriding the default Maryland Code will whereby half of your assets are left to your surviving spouse and the other half to your children (or if you do not have children, then half to your parents).

Many states do allow copies of wills to be admitted to probate, but there are statutory guidelines for overcoming a presumption that the original will was destroyed (intending to revoke the will). We suggest consulting the law about this specific to your state.