Illness and poverty are mutually dependent, and the clientele requiring legal guardianship is often affected by both. Additionally, social disabilities frequently come into play. Over-indebtedness often acts as another tragic burden. Therefore, crisis situations are the norm. Frequently, the individual under guardianship is in a severe, life-threatening crisis at the time guardianship is assumed. Immediate interventions are necessary to halt the downward spiral. Typically, a mental disorder is the triggering condition for the appointment of a guardian. The legal guardian needs a high level of knowledge about the causes and courses of various mental health conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, dementia, addiction disorders, among others, as some mental illnesses carry a particularly high and typical risk of impoverishment.