What are the steps to get guardianship of my grandchild?
A. A petition for guardianship is filed in the county where the ward lives. A hearing date is set. Notice of the hearing must be served to certain interested persons, which is outlined in the law. If the court decides at the hearing that a guardianship is necessary, a guardian is appointed. The guardian will be required to report at least annually to the court regarding the condition of the ward, including the ward’s finances. You must be able to show why a guardianship is necessary, including why the parents are unable to care for the child, and why you are qualified to serve as guardian. A Handbook for Relative Guardianship can be found here.
