Guardianship Resources
An individual who wants to establish legal guardianship of a child or adult with special needs will need to gather certain documents and file forms with the court, among other preparations. Additionally, each state has its own set of laws and procedures for establishing legal guardianship. This sub-section of FindLaw’s Family Law Center contains a number of guardianship resources, including examples of select state guardianship laws; links to some state-specific legal guardianship forms; suggestions for what to consider when choosing a guardian for your child; a checklist of documents and other information you may need to gather before establishing guardianship; and other related resources.
- Ten Questions to Ask When Choosing a Guardian
A list of things to think about when choosing a guardian. In this section, you’ll find ten questions that will give you an idea of a candidate’s integrity, competence, history, and fitness to serve as a legal guardian.
- Documents Checklist
As the guardian of an elderly individual, you’re responsible for managing your ward’s assets. This section provides a checklist of important documents to help you better manage your ward’s financial and legal affairs, including any vehicle titles, living wills, mortgages, IRA statements, and more.
- State Guardianship Forms
A collection of links to the guardianship forms of selected states. In this section, you can find and download the forms your state requires in order to appoint a legal guardian.
- State Laws on Guardianships
Guardianship laws can differ widely from state to state. In this section, we’ve included examples of state guardianship laws to give you a better idea of how different states handle the appointment and powers of guardians.
- Considerations When Choosing a Guardian
Choosing a guardian can be a difficult task. This section provides a number of considerations that will help you select the guardian who’s best suited for the position.
- FAQ: Establishing Guardianship
A collection of frequently asked questions about establishing guardianship of a child. Find answers to your questions about appointing a guardian for your child, your powers and responsibilities as a guardian, and more.