A guardian is a person appointed by the court to make legal decisions for another person who is unable to make those decisions on their own because they're a minor, are developmentally disabled, or have some other incapacitating condition. Guardianship, therefore, is the legal relationship between a guardian and the ward (the person in need of a guardian).
Anyone planning to file for a guardianship for a loved one, or to become a guardian themselves, must gather certain documents, such as medical records and receipts showing the ward's expenses. You'll also need to fill out state guardianship forms.
Most states offer legal guardianship forms for free online by the state court or regional legal services agency. However, keep in mind that the forms themselves can be confusing and many states don't provide adequate instructions to complete the guardianship suit process on your own.
Guardianship Forms by State
The following are the online resources to help you access the necessary state guardianship forms:
Alabama
Alabama Legal Help written by the Alabama State Bar Alaska Alaska Court Guardianship/Conservatorship FormsArizona
Probate Forms Arkansas Arkansas Legal Services Partnership California California Courts Self Help Colorado Colorado Judicial Branch Connecticut Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries Delaware Petitions to Establish Guardianship District of Columbia District of Columbia Courts: Forms Florida Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida Georgia Georgia Probate Court Standard Forms and General Instructions Hawaii Hawai'i State Judiciary Idaho Forms: Guardianship and Conservatorship Illinois Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission or Illinois Legal Aid Indiana Kids' Voice of Indiana Iowa Iowa Judicial Branch Kansas Kansas Judicial Council Kentucky Kentucky Court of Justice Louisiana Forms not available online, visit your local parish court clerk or attorney for assistance. Maine Guardianship and Custody Maryland Maryland Courts Massachusetts Massachusetts Court System Michigan Michigan Courts Minnesota Court Forms: Guardianship / Conservatorship Mississippi Guardianship (MS Legal Services) Missouri Court Forms: Missouri Courts Montana Montana Guardianship Forms Nebraska Guardianship / Conservatorship in Nebraska Nevada Supreme Court of Nevada: Standardized Guardianship Forms New Hampshire New Hampshire Judicial Branch New Jersey Guardianship New Mexico Forms: New Mexico Courts New YorkNew York State Unified Court System
North Carolina North Carolina Court System North DakotaLegal Self-Help Center: Family Law
Ohio Franklin County Probate Court Oklahoma Oklahoma State Courts Network Oregon Family Law Forms Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Rhode Island Rhode Island State Library South Carolina South Carolina Judicial Department South Dakota South Dakota Department of Human Services Tennessee Rutherford County Tennessee Court Texas Guardianship Resources Utah Utah Courts Vermont Adult and Minor Guardianship Virginia Virginia's Judicial System Washington Washington Courts West Virginia West Virginia Judiciary Wisconsin Wisconsin Court System WyomingGet Legal Help with Your Guardianship Case
Taking on the responsibility of guardianship is a big deal, similar in law to parenthood. If you're considering becoming a guardian, you'll need to file specific state guardianship forms and provide certain documents. You also may want to contact a skilled family law attorney who can answer your questions and help you file the necessary paperwork.
