- Home
- Departments
- Public Fiduciary
- Guardianship Services
Guardianship and/or Conservatorship
- The following conditions don’t necessarily indicate a need for guardianship or conservatorship:
- a person is elderly or
- mentally ill or
- developmentally disabled or
- physically disabled.
- Alternatives to guardianship and/or conservatorship should be used in many cases.
- Less intrusive options should be pursued whenever possible.
- They preserve a person’s autonomy and self-determination.
- Less intrusive options should be pursued whenever possible.
- Guardianship or conservatorship should be considered a last resort.
- The most restrictive and intrusive form of intervention.
- Significantly impacts many civil rights including the following rights:
- to vote
- to drive
- decide where to live
- make medical decisions, etc.
- Extremely difficult to revoke a guardianship or conservatorship.
- Even if the guardian or conservator believes it is no longer necessary.
- Before you proceed, you may want to consult an attorney familiar with guardianships/conservatorships.
- If there are no other alternatives or any family or friends willing or qualified to serve, and a guardianship or conservatorship should be considered, following is the information needed:
- A Guardianship Referral Form must be completed.
- It initiates a detailed assessment process to evaluate whether Guardianship/Conservatorship is necessary.
- The process is collaborative in nature and takes time to complete.
- It is not appropriate for emergency situations.
- You must be willing to testify in court to any information provided in your referral.
- It initiates a detailed assessment process to evaluate whether Guardianship/Conservatorship is necessary.
- A referral will open an investigation into the possible need for guardianship/conservatorship.
- A referral is not a guarantee that a guardian or conservator will be sought.
- A Guardianship Referral Form must be completed.
- If this is an emergent situation, an emergency petition may be filed with the Probate Court. The following link will take you to the necessary forms and instructions: https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/probate-court-forms/.
Incapacitated Adult in Eminent Danger
If a incapacitated adult is believed to be in eminent danger please call 9-1-1. In situations of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation of a incapacitated adult please contact Adult Protective Services at (877) 767-2385.