17th Circuit Court

Minor Guardianships

As part of the Circuit and Probate Court’s Concurrent Jurisdiction Plan, minor guardianship cases were moved to the Circuit Court in 2020. All minor guardianship cases are now assigned to Circuit Court Judges. Filings, copies, and all filing related questions are handled by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The Probate Court is no longer involved in processing documents or holding hearings for minor guardianships.

Forms to open, modify, or terminate a minor guardianship can be obtained from the  Legal Assistance Center, located on the 5th Floor of the Kent County Courthouse. Certified copies of Letters of Guardianship can be purchased from the Circuit Court Clerk located on the second floor of the Courthouse.

Petitions for Guardianship and Petitions to Terminate or Modify Guardianship generally need a home study completed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). To allow for a home study, hearing dates must be scheduled at least six weeks out from the filing date. Available hearing dates can be found here. Temporary Guardianship or emergency hearings can be set using motion dates provided here.

Annual Report of Guardian on Condition of Minor

All guardians must file an Annual Report as directed in their Acceptance and Letters of Guardianship. The Annual Report is form PC654 and is available here. The report must be filled out to its entirety and signed by the guardian. If co-guardians are appointed, each must sign the Annual Report or both may choose to submit individual Annual Reports. Failure to file may result in a Show Cause Hearing and possible suspension of guardianship. Reports should not be filed more than 21 days prior to the due date.

Filing for Full or Limited Guardianship

Petitioners should use the updated Circuit Court versions of Minor Guardianship Forms. The Legal Assistance Center provides forms to file minor guardianships and can assist in preparation of forms. They do not provide attorneys or legal advice. There are different forms based on which type of guardianship you are filing for (full or limited).

Forms Required to File New Guardianships

Full Guardianship

  • Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor
  • Minor Guardianship Social History
  • Order Appointing Person to Review/Investigate Guardianship
  • Notice of Hearing (Full Guardianship)
    NOTE: hearing date must be scheduled 6+ weeks out
  • Proof of Service
    NOTE: this should be filed after petitioner serves required parties
  • Acceptance of Appointment (Full Guardian)*
  • Order Regarding Appointment of Guardian of a Minor*
  • Letters of Guardianship*

*These forms will be finalized at the hearing

Limited Guardianship

  • Petition for Appointment of Limited Guardian of Minor
  • Minor Guardianship Social History
  • Limited Guardianship Placement Plan
  • Order Appointing Person to Review/Investigate Guardianship
  • Notice of Hearing (Limited Guardianship)
    NOTE: hearing date must be scheduled 6+ weeks out
  • Proof of Service
    NOTE: this should be filed after petitioner serves required parties
  • Acceptance of Appointment (Limited Guardian)*
  • Order Regarding Appointment of Limited Guardian of Minor*
  • Letters of Guardianship*

*These forms will be finalized at the hearing

Cost to File & Fees

To start a new minor guardianship (filing a new petition) the filing is $175.00. The Clerk’s Office accepts cash or checks. For all filings, the payment is required at the time filing unless there is an approved fee waiver. To apply to have the fees waived, you would need to complete form MC20 and have it reviewed by the Court.

Filing Fee
New Petition For Guardianship $175.00
Motion (Modify, Terminate, Misc., etc.) $20.00
Objection $20.00
Petition and Order for Travel No Fee
All other Petitions/Orders $20.00
Certified Copy of Letters $10.00

More information on filing fees can be found here.

FAQs