Berrien County, MI · Berrien County
Petition to Appoint a Guardian for an Incapacitated Adult
This packet helps an interested person petition the Berrien County Probate Court to appoint a guardian for an adult who may need help making or communicating informed decisions.
At a glance
- Issued by
- City of Berrien County · Berrien County, Berrien County, Michigan
- Notarization
- Not required: file this form without a notary.
- Official source
- berriencounty.org
- Blank form
- Download the PDF
- Catalogued
- Machine-readable
- JSON record · about the forms index
What this form is
The packet includes information, a filing checklist, instructions, and the petition used to ask the probate court to appoint a guardian for an allegedly incapacitated adult. The instructions say to file with the probate court where the adult resides or is currently located. The petition asks about the adult’s condition, family, current care, and proposed guardian, and includes a request for a temporary guardian in an emergency.
Who needs it
A person interested in an adult’s welfare may use this packet to ask the probate court to appoint a guardian when the adult may lack capacity to make or communicate informed decisions.
How to submit it
File the completed petition with the probate court where the adult resides or is currently located. The checklist lists a $182 filing fee or a fee-waiver affidavit and gives the Self Help Legal Resource Center address as 811 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
About notarization
The petition is signed and dated without a notary; the packet notes that a separate power of attorney must be signed before a notary and at least one witness.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download the Packet
Download the guardian petition packet, which includes a checklist and instructions.
- 2
Complete the Petition
Follow the instructions and fill in the petition with information about the adult, the petitioner, and the proposed guardian.
- 3
Gather the Checklist Items
Use the filing checklist to assemble the listed forms and documents, and prepare the filing fee or fee-waiver affidavit.
- 4
File With the Probate Court
File the completed petition with the probate court where the adult resides or is currently located.
Frequently asked questions
- What does this guardian petition packet include?
- It includes information about guardianship, a filing checklist, instructions for completing the petition, and the petition form for asking the probate court to appoint a guardian.
- Who can file a petition to appoint a guardian?
- The packet says any person interested in the adult’s welfare can complete and file a petition with the probate court where the adult resides or is currently located.
- Do I need a notary for the guardian petition?
- No. The petition is signed and dated without a notary. The packet notes that a separate power of attorney must be signed before a notary and at least one witness.
- How do I submit the guardian petition?
- File it with the probate court where the adult resides or is currently located. The checklist lists a $182 filing fee or a fee-waiver affidavit and provides the Self Help Legal Resource Center address.