Washington Order Approving Guardian

Any person seeking guardianship must file a petition with the Superior Court. After completing the training, you can then petition court for the type of guardianship you feel is necessary and appropriate. Forms for petitioning for guardianship may be found here.

EXPLANATION OF A PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN(S) A guardianship may be needed if someone cannot take care of him/herself and/or his/her property. The person who needs assistance is the proposed ward. If guardianship is granted, that person will be the ward.

Specific advantages include: Security Once you are named as guardian, you can be confident that you will be able to provide care for your ward for years to come. Legal Rights You will have the legal right to make financial, medical, and other decisions on behalf of your ward (in most cases).

The legal guardianship document is a formal declaration to the court system that another party is responsible for the well-being of the minors. No one can predict when an accident or other disaster may occur. Some include a legal guardianship document in their wills to determine who will raise their children.

(1) Any party to a guardianship proceeding may request termination of the guardianship by filing a petition and supporting affidavit alleging a substantial change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or the guardian and that the termination is necessary to serve the best interests of the child.

A guardian is also prohibited from making gifts from the ward's estate. Generally, a guardian cannot tie up the ward's money by purchasing real estate, but can lend the money to someone else buying real estate if the property is sufficient security for the loan.

The names of the forms are usually: Petition for Appointment of Guardian (or Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor) Petition for Conservatorship (when dealing with an incompetent adult) Order Appointing Guardian.

This will involve factors such as stability in the child's upbringing, the child's stated preference, the ability of the proposed guardian to provide the child with proper care, the relationship between the parents and the proposed guardian, and any information regarding the moral character of the proposed guardian.