Guardianship index
Find a specific page or step-by-step instructions within our Guardianship pages.
Guardianship basics
- What you must do as a guardian
- Options other than a guardianship
- Fee waivers in guardianship cases
- Guardianship for immigrant youth (SIJS)
How to become a guardian
Overview: How to become a guardian
1: Start a guardianship case
2. Notify family members and others
- Figure out who you have to notify and how
- How to serve in person
- How to serve by mail
- How to notify if you asked for a temporary guardianship
3. Investigation
4. Prepare for and go to your court date
5. After you're appointed guardian
For parents (or family members)
If you received a Petition for Appointment of Guardian
How to file and serve a response (object)
What to expect at the guardianship hearing
How to end a guardianship
- How to ask to end a guardianship
- Notify the child's family members and guardian
- Investigation to end a guardianship
- Prepare for and go to court date
What to do if you're moving (as a guardian)
Moving (in or out of state) if you're a guardian
- How to ask to move out of state
- Notify the child's family members you want to move
- Prepare for and go to court date
Ask for visitation
How to ask for or change visitation
Prepare for and go to your court date