What do these papers mean?
Petition for Appointment of Guardian (form GC-210(P)) or (form GC-210)
If you received a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Person (form GC-210(P)) or a Petition of Appointment of Guardian of Minor (form GC-210), it means that someone has asked the court to make them the guardian of your child, a family member's child, or you (if you are a minor 12 or older).
You should have also received a Notice of Hearing - Guardianship or Conservatorship (form GC-020) with a court date (a hearing). At the hearing, a judge will decide whether to appoint a guardian.
Who asked to be the guardian and why?
If you received a:
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian (form GC-210(P)), the name of the person or people who want to be the child's guardian are listed on Page 1. The name of the children are listed on Page 2. The third page of the Petition, or in an attachment to it, explains why the person thinks a guardianship is needed.
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor (form GC-210), the name of the person or people who want to be the child's guardian are listed on Page 1 along with the names of the children. The second page of the Petition, or in an attachment to it, explains why the person thinks a guardianship is needed. This form is also used if someone is asking to be a guardian of the child's estate.
Find out more about guardianships and the steps someone must take to be a guardian.
When is the hearing?
The date, time, and location are on item 4 on the Notice of Hearing - Guardianship or Conservatorship (form GC-020).
The judge may appoint someone as the child's guardian on this date.
If you disagree, you must go to the hearing so the judge can hear your side. If you want, you can also respond to the court in writing before the hearing.
What you can do
If you don't agree (you object)
If you don't think the child needs a guardian or you think someone else should be the guardian, you can go to the hearing and ask to speak. You can also file a written statement, before the hearing, saying that you object and why. You may use Objection to Petition for Appointment of Guardian (form GC-215) to make a written objection.
If you agree
If you agree that this person should be the child's guardian, you can file a statement saying that you agree and why. Then, you can go to the court hearing if you would like.
If you are the child's parent
- You are entitled to receive notice of the hearing on the petition for appointment of a guardian for your child, a copy of the petition, and a copy of Comparison of Guardians With Other Nonparent Caregivers (form GC-207-INFO/JV-352-INFO). The last form describes other options for arranging substitute care for your child, including some that do not require a court order.
- If you object or file a response, you can ask the judge to order visitation with your child if the judge appoints a guardian. If you do this now, the judge may address the issue at the hearing rather than you having to file papers later.
- An investigator assigned by the court will likely contact you. They will also meet with the person who wants to be the child's guardian and do a background check on them and then write a report for the judge.
Get help
This website has information to walk you through the basic process. But you may need more help. If so, you can start with the court’s Self-Help Center. Self-Help Centers offer free legal information. Ask if they have resources for probate guardianships.