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Personal & FamilyUnited States
Free Guardianship Form Template
Establish legal guardianship over a minor child or incapacitated adult with a professionally structured U.S. petition. Fill in your details, download a professional PDF in minutes — valid across all American states.
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PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN
Minor Child — Full Guardianship
PROPOSED GUARDIAN
| FULL LEGAL NAME | Patricia Ann Thompson |
| RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS | 1450 Maple Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205 |
| PHONE | (704) 555-0312 |
| patricia.thompson@email.com | |
| OCCUPATION | Registered Nurse |
| RELATIONSHIP TO WARD | Grandmother |
| AGE | 52 |
| CRIMINAL BACKGROUND | None |
WARD (PERSON NEEDING GUARDIAN)
| FULL LEGAL NAME | Emily Rose Thompson |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 8, 2015 |
| WARD TYPE | Minor Child |
| CURRENT ADDRESS | 320 Oak Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 |
| CURRENT LIVING SITUATION | Currently living with proposed guardian (maternal grandmother) since August 2024 |
CURRENT PARENTS / GUARDIANS
| PARENT / GUARDIAN 1 | Jennifer Marie Thompson — Living |
| PARENT / GUARDIAN 2 | David Wayne Thompson — Living |
1.
BASIS FOR PETITION
The Petitioner, Patricia Ann Thompson (Grandmother of the ward), respectfully petitions this Court for the appointment of guardianship over Emily Rose Thompson, born March 8, 2015, pursuant to the guardianship statutes of the state in which this petition is filed (including, where applicable, the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act (UGCOPAA, 2017) or its predecessor, the Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act (UGPPA), as enacted in that state; see, e.g., California Probate Code §§ 1500-1516; Florida Statutes §§ 744.301 et seq.; New York Surrogate's Court Procedure Act § 1701 et seq.), for the following reasons:
Both parents are currently unable to provide adequate care due to substance abuse and ongoing rehabilitation. The child has been living with the proposed guardian for the past 8 months and is thriving in a stable home environment.
If the ward is an Indian child within the meaning of the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901 et seq., the Petitioner will provide the notices required by § 1912(a) and will comply with placement preferences under § 1915. If any parent of the ward is on active military service, the Petitioner will comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq. For federal-tax dependency purposes, the Petitioner acknowledges Internal Revenue Code § 152, and for the ward's protected health information, the Petitioner acknowledges the personal-representative rules under HIPAA, 45 C.F.R. § 164.502(g).
Both parents are currently unable to provide adequate care due to substance abuse and ongoing rehabilitation. The child has been living with the proposed guardian for the past 8 months and is thriving in a stable home environment.
If the ward is an Indian child within the meaning of the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901 et seq., the Petitioner will provide the notices required by § 1912(a) and will comply with placement preferences under § 1915. If any parent of the ward is on active military service, the Petitioner will comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq. For federal-tax dependency purposes, the Petitioner acknowledges Internal Revenue Code § 152, and for the ward's protected health information, the Petitioner acknowledges the personal-representative rules under HIPAA, 45 C.F.R. § 164.502(g).
2.
GUARDIANSHIP SCOPE AND POWERS
The Petitioner seeks a Full Guardianship with authority over: healthcare decisions, education decisions, financial decisions, living arrangements. The requested guardianship shall remain in effect until the ward reaches the age of eighteen (18).
Financial Authority Limits: $5,000 per transaction without court approval
The guardian shall file status reports with the Court annually.
Financial Authority Limits: $5,000 per transaction without court approval
The guardian shall file status reports with the Court annually.
3.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Other Interested Persons:
Lisa Marie Johnson (maternal aunt), 890 Pine Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, (919) 555-0234
Ward's Assets / Income:
Social Security survivor benefits: $450/month
Savings account at Wells Fargo: approximately $2,800
Ward's Medical Needs:
Mild asthma (well-controlled with daily Zyrtec and rescue inhaler)
Annual well-child visits with Dr. Susan Lee, Pediatrician, Charlotte, NC
Ward's Educational Needs:
Enrolled in 4th grade at Eastway Elementary School, Charlotte, NC
Honor roll student, participates in after-school art program
Proposed Living Arrangements:
Three-bedroom home at 1450 Maple Avenue. Emily has her own bedroom. Household consists of proposed guardian and her husband, Robert Thompson (age 55, retired).
Lisa Marie Johnson (maternal aunt), 890 Pine Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, (919) 555-0234
Ward's Assets / Income:
Social Security survivor benefits: $450/month
Savings account at Wells Fargo: approximately $2,800
Ward's Medical Needs:
Mild asthma (well-controlled with daily Zyrtec and rescue inhaler)
Annual well-child visits with Dr. Susan Lee, Pediatrician, Charlotte, NC
Ward's Educational Needs:
Enrolled in 4th grade at Eastway Elementary School, Charlotte, NC
Honor roll student, participates in after-school art program
Proposed Living Arrangements:
Three-bedroom home at 1450 Maple Avenue. Emily has her own bedroom. Household consists of proposed guardian and her husband, Robert Thompson (age 55, retired).
CHARACTER REFERENCES
| REFERENCE 1 | Rev. James Mitchell, Pastor at First Baptist Church, (704) 555-0456 |
| REFERENCE 2 | Dr. Susan Lee, Pediatrician, (704) 555-0789 |
4.
BEST INTERESTS OF THE WARD
The Petitioner believes that the appointment of guardianship is in the best interests of Emily Rose Thompson and that, consistent with UGCOPAA § 301 (or the equivalent provision of the applicable state statute) and the policy reflected in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12132, no less restrictive alternative — such as a power of attorney, health-care proxy, representative payee, or supported decision-making arrangement — is sufficient to protect the ward's welfare, safety, and interests. The Petitioner is willing and able to serve as guardian and to fulfill all duties and responsibilities required by law, including the duty to preserve the ward's autonomy to the greatest extent consistent with the ward's needs.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) Appoint Patricia Ann Thompson as guardian of Emily Rose Thompson;
(b) Grant such powers as the Court deems necessary and appropriate;
(c) Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
(a) Appoint Patricia Ann Thompson as guardian of Emily Rose Thompson;
(b) Grant such powers as the Court deems necessary and appropriate;
(c) Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
PETITIONER (PROPOSED GUARDIAN)
Patricia Ann Thompson
Date: ____________________
NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
State of ________________________, County of ________________________
On this ______ day of ________________________, 20______, before me personally appeared Patricia Ann Thompson, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.
On this ______ day of ________________________, 20______, before me personally appeared Patricia Ann Thompson, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.
Notary Public Signature
My commission expires: ___________________________
Available as a print-ready PDF or an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
What Is a Guardianship Form?
A U.S. guardianship form is a legal document used to petition a court for authority to care for and make decisions on behalf of someone who cannot care for themselves. This applies to two main situations: minor children whose parents are unable or unwilling to provide care, and adults who have been declared mentally incapacitated by a court. The person appointed by the American court is called the guardian, and the person under the guardian's care is called the ward.
Guardianship is different from custody, which applies to a parent's rights over their own child. U.S. guardianship is typically sought by grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, or other non-parents when the child's parents are absent, incarcerated, hospitalized, deployed, or otherwise unable to fulfill their parental responsibilities. For adults, American guardianship is sought when a person has lost the ability to make safe decisions about their own health, finances, or living situation due to dementia, traumatic brain injury, developmental disability, or other conditions.
Every US state requires court approval to establish guardianship. The petitioner must file the appropriate forms with the probate or family court, provide notice to all interested parties (including the ward's parents, if alive), and attend a hearing where the judge determines whether guardianship is in the ward's best interest. This template helps you prepare the initial petition and supporting documents needed to begin the process.
What's Covered in This Template
Doxuno's guardianship form template covers all the essential elements needed for a court petition in any US state.
Petitioner Information
Ward Identification
Guardianship Type
Reason for Guardianship
Parental Status
Guardian's Duties
Duration & Termination
Financial Management
Interested Parties
Parental Consent
Court Filing Details
Verification & Signature
How to Create Your Guardianship Form
Doxuno's template walks you through every section. Complete the form and download your guardianship petition in minutes.
- 1
Enter the proposed guardian's information
Provide the full legal name, date of birth, address, and contact details of the person seeking guardianship. Include information about their relationship to the ward and their qualifications to serve as guardian.
- 2
Identify the ward
Enter the full legal name, date of birth, and current address of the minor child or incapacitated adult who needs a guardian. If the ward is a minor, provide the names and status of both biological or legal parents.
- 3
Specify the type and scope
Select whether you are seeking guardianship of the person (personal care), guardianship of the estate (finances), or both. For limited guardianship, specify which decisions the guardian will make and which the ward retains.
- 4
Explain the reason for guardianship
Describe why guardianship is necessary: parental absence, incapacity, military deployment, incarceration, or the ward's inability to manage their own affairs. Include details about the ward's current care situation and any supporting circumstances.
- 5
Download and prepare for court
Review the completed form and download your professional PDF. Since guardianship requires court approval in all US states, you will need to file the form with the appropriate probate or family court along with any state-specific attachments and filing fees.
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Continue editing in Word after download. Add custom clauses, reuse the template for similar agreements, or share with a colleague for collaborative review.
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Legal Considerations for Guardianship
Guardianship laws vary significantly from state to state. While this template provides a comprehensive starting point, you should review your state's specific requirements before filing. Below are key considerations.
This template is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Guardianship proceedings are court-supervised and may require additional state-specific forms. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for guidance on your specific situation.
Reviewed by legal professionals. The content on this page and the template provisions have been reviewed by licensed attorneys in the United States to ensure accuracy and legal soundness for standard guardianship situations.
Court Approval Required
Guardianship cannot be established through a private agreement alone. In every US state, a court must approve the guardianship after reviewing the petition, receiving notice from interested parties, and holding a hearing. The court's primary concern is the best interest of the ward. This template helps you prepare the petition, but the actual appointment comes from the court's order.
Notice to Interested Parties
Most U.S. states require the petitioner to provide formal notice of the guardianship proceeding to all interested parties, including the ward's parents, spouse (if applicable), adult children, and close relatives. Some American states also require notice to the ward if they are over a certain age, typically 14. Failure to provide proper notice can delay or invalidate the proceeding.
Background Checks and Home Studies
Many U.S. states require the proposed guardian to pass a criminal background check before being appointed. Some American courts also order a home study, in which a social worker visits the proposed guardian's home to assess whether it is a safe and suitable environment for the ward. These requirements vary by state and by the type of guardianship being sought.
Ongoing Court Reporting
Once appointed, guardians are typically required to file periodic reports with the court about the ward's health, living situation, and finances. These reports, sometimes called accountings or status reports, are usually due annually but can be required more frequently. Failure to file required reports can result in removal of the guardian by the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
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