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 Forms |
Arizona |
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 York | New York State Unified Court System |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Court System |
| North Dakota | Legal 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 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Center for Legal Aid |
Get 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.
