• Any person interested in the welfare of a person may petition for a hearing to have a guardian/conservator appointed for them. The petitioner can nominate themselves, another person, or a qualified Certified Professional Guardian to be the guardian/conservator.
  • The person for whom the petition is requesting a guardian/conservator, known as the respondent, must be notified of the petition, who filed it, and the date of the court hearing.
  • At the time the petition is filed, the court will appoint a Court Visitor (CV) from the court’s registry. The CV will meet with the respondent, explain the petition and the process, and determine if the respondent objects to the guardianship/conservatorship or the person or organization who has been nominated.
  • The respondent has the right to his or her own attorney, and an attorney will be appointed from the court’s registry if the respondent does not select an attorney who is qualified to serve in that role. The respondent also has the right to attend the court hearing.
  • The CV will interview all persons with relevant knowledge, obtain a medical report (known as a “professional evaluation”), and make recommendations to the court. After the CV has made their recommendations to the court, there will be a hearing at which the court will decide if the respondent needs a guardian and/or conservator and who should be appointed.