Application for Guardianship of the Person
This interview will help you complete the forms to file for guardianship of the person of an adult in probate court in Ohio.
This interview was designed to help parents of children with developmental disabilities file for guardianship of the person when their child turns 18 and becomes an adult. It does not cover other situations, such as guardianship of an adult who later develops a condition like dementia.
- "Ward" is the legal term for the person who needs the guardian.
- A guardian of the person is appointed to make personal decisions for the ward, such as where the ward will live and how health care services will be provided.
- A guardian of the estate is appointed to manage the ward’s assets and money.
If you are not the parent of the proposed ward or you intend to file for guardianship of the person and the estate, this Form Assistant is not designed for the complexity of your case.
To complete this form, you will need to:
- Register for an account. Registering will allow you to save and complete this form on your own schedule.
- Start with Step 1 and do not skip ahead. The steps must be completed in order.
- Enter your information completely and correctly.
- Pace yourself and take breaks. All the information you fill out will be saved. You can click "Save & Exit" and return to complete your form.
If possible, use a computer so that you can easily download your completed form or email it to yourself.
Review the forms to make sure that they are complete and accurate. Then:
Step 1. Complete the forms.
- Form 17.1 – Statement of Expert Evaluation MUST be completed by a medical doctor or a clinical psychologist who is licensed in the state of Ohio. The prospective ward’s doctor may be used to completing this form and may complete a version of this form that they already have on file. If they go to the doctor in a county that is different from the county where you are filing your application, make sure that they complete the uniform version of this form included in your packet. Your court might not accept a version of the form that is from a different county.
- Form 15.1 – Waiver of Notice and Consent should be completed by consenting next of kin. All parties listed on the Next of Kin of Proposed Ward (Form 15.0), who are Ohio residents, must either sign this Consent or be served with notice using Form 17.4 Notice of Hearing for Appointment of Guardian of Alleged Incompetent Person. If all next of kin complete form 15.1, you may discard form 17.4.
Step 2. Print your forms and take them to a notary.
Print out your forms and take them to a notary to sign Form 66.05 and any other county-specific forms that require notarization. You can find notaries at banks and some courthouses and libraries, or search for "notaries near me" on Google.
Step 3. Make photocopies.
After you sign and notarize your documents, make a copy for your records.
Step 4. File Take the forms and copies to the Clerk’s office at the Probate Court.
Do not include this cover page with the forms you submit to the Clerk's office. Clerk staff can help make sure everything is complete, but will not be able to help you fill anything out. The fees to apply for guardianship can vary. Check the court’s website for fee information. Commonly, fees range from $100 to $300. You can ask the Clerk if a fee waiver is available.
Step 5. Get a background check.
You will need to get a background check as part of your application. Ask the court how this works in your county. You may need to go to a background check location and pay a separate fee. Background check fees often range from $30 to $40.
Next the probate court will:
- Review your application and provide notice to family members
- Interview the proposed ward
- Schedule a hearing to decide on your application