A Handbook for RELATIVE GUARDIANSHIP
This Handbook applies only to cases where a blood relative is seeking the
guardianship of a minor child/ward. It is not required by law that a person who
wants to do this be represented by a lawyer. However, if you are a lawyer, you
will be required by the court to follow the law and the rules of procedure as if
you were an attorney.
The judge, the judge’s staf and the personnel of the Court Clerk’s ofce cannot
provide you with legal advice or help you in flling out the required forms and
providing notice of court proceedings. The judge and the judge’s staf cannot
speak with any party to a guardianship unless all involved parties are present.
The following is a very general list of steps that must be taken:
1. A petition for guardianship is fled in the county where the ward lives.
A hearing date is set.
2. Notice of the hearing and the proceeding must be given by personal
service or frst class mail to a statutory group of persons. All persons
must receive notice at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing.
If the court decides that a guardianship is necessary, a guardian is appointed.
The guardian is required to, at the least, annually report to the court about the
ward and the ward’s fnances.
The forms given here are general. Certain counties, such as Oklahoma and
Tulsa have their own forms. The court clerk’s ofce in the county will have
specifc forms and will be able to tell you how much the relative guardianship
fling fees will be.
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
___________________________ )
___________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
PETITION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN
OF MINOR CHILDREN
Comes Now the Petitioner , _____________________, and informs the Court as
follows :
1. That I am now a resident in good faith of _________ County, and the State of
Oklahoma for six (6) months prior to the fling of this petition.
2 . That _______________ (is a/are) minor child(ren ) ______ years of age,
respectively, having the following date(s) of birth :
_______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. That the mother of the minor child(ren) is _________________. Her present
address is :
___________________________________________________________________________.
4. That the father of the minor child(ren) is ____________________. His present
address is :
___________________________________________________________________________.
5. That I am related to the child(ren) in the following manner :
___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
6. That the Court has jurisdiction in this action to make a child custody
determination pursuant to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and
Enforcement Act, 43 O.S. §551-101, et seq., in that Oklahoma is the home
state of the minor child. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is my afdavit
setting forth the information required by the Act.
7. The minor child(ren) (is/are) not Indian children within the meaning of the
Federal or State Indian Child Welfare Acts.
8. The child has asset(s) (real or personal property) in the value of $ _________.
The anticipated annual income of the minor child(ren) for one (1) year plus
the value of the child(ren)’s personal property is $ _____. If more than one
child, list all other children and assets below :
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. Appointment of (check one):
□ A guardian of the person(s) of the minor(s)
□ A guardian of the estate(s) of said minor(s)
□ A guardian of both the person of the minor(s) and the estate/property of
the minor(s)
is necessary to provide for the general welfare of the child(ren) and to
allow me (the Petitioner)to authorize medical and education services for
the child(ren).
10. The parents are unable to care for the child(ren) at this time because :
____________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
11. It is in the best interests of the child(ren) that I be appointed:
□ A guardian of the person(s) of the minor(s).
□ A guardian of the estate(s) of said minor(s).
□ A guardian of both the person of the minor(s) and the estate/property of
the minor(s).
12. I am qualifed to serve as guardian of the _________ of the minor child(ren).
I further inform the Court as follows:
a. no judge of the district court is under any fnancial obligation to me;
b. I am not a minor, incapacitated or partially incapacitated;
c. I have never been convicted of a felony;
d. I am not a person subject to registration under the Oklahoma Sex
Ofender Registration Act and attached hereto as Exhibit B is an
afdavit in regard thereto.
e. I am not insolvent and I have not declared bankruptcy during the fve
(5) years prior to the fling of this petition.
f. I am under no obligation to the minor child(ren); and
g. there are no conficts of interest that would preclude or be
substantially detrimental to my ability to act in the best interest(s) of
the minor child(ren).
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner prays the Court to grant the following relief:
A. Appoint me as the:
□ A guardian of the person(s) of the minor(s).
□ A guardian of the estate(s) of said minor(s).
□ A guardian of both the person of the minor(s) and the estate/property of
the minor(s).
B. □ Set bond in the amount of $__________.
□ Waive bond
C. Grant all other just and appropriate relief .
Signature _________________________________
Name _________________________________
Address _________________________________
_________________________________
Verification
State Of Oklahoma )
)
COUNTY OF _______________ )
_________________________________, of lawful age, being frst duly sworn upon
oath deposes and states: I am the petitioner named above; I have read the
foregoing document and understand its contents; I hereby state that the facts
set forth in the foregoing document are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Signature: _____________________________________
Print Name : _____________________________________
Petitioner
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _________ day of _____________________,
_______.
________________________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Number:
______________________________________________________
My Commission Expires:
______________________________________________________
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Uniform Child Custody
Jurisdiction And Enforcement Act
Affidavit
STATE OF OKLAHOMA )
) SS
COUNTY OF ________________ )
________________________, of lawful age, am the Petitioner in the above-styled
and numbered guardianship proceeding, being frst duly sworn upon oath,
deposes and states :
1. The minor(s) , ___________, _______________, presently live at __________ (city),
___________ (state), ______ (zip) .
2. The minor(s) has/have lived at the following address during the last fve (5)
years:
Name Address City State Zip Date
4. I have/have not participated as a party, witness or otherwise been involved
in a legal proceeding concerning the custody of, or visitation with, said
minor(s).
If you have, list the Court, the case number(s) and the date(s) of
participation:
Court Case Number Dates
5. I have knowledge of the following proceeding pertaining to a divorce of the
minor’s(s’) parents, custody proceeding(s) concerning this/these minor(s)
proceedings concerning domestic violence or abuse, protective orders,
termination of parental rights, adoptions or Department of Human Services
or other proceedings.
Court Case Number Dates
6. I have knowledge that the following named persons claim a right to custody
or a right to visitation with said minor.
Name Address City State Zip Date
7. I acknowledge the I have a continuing duty under the law to inform the
Court, in writing, of any additional information acquired by me after
executing this “Afdaviti.
Signature: _____________________________________
Print Name : _____________________________________
Petitioner
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _________ day of _____________________,
_______.
________________________________________________
Court Clerk / Notary Public
My Commission Number:
______________________________________________________
My Commission Expires:
______________________________________________________
EXHIBIT A
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Affidavit of Mailint
STATE OF OKLAHOMA )
) SS
COUNTY OF ________________ )
I, _______________________, AFTER FIRST BEING DULY SWORN UNDER OATH,
STATE AS FOLLOWS:
That I mailed a true and correct copy of the Petition for Appointment of
Guardian of a Minor Child and Order and Notice for Hearing for Appointment as
Guardian to __________________________
_______________________________________________________________, natural parents
of _________________________, on the ______ day of ________________ , by certifed
mail, postage thereon fully prepaid and green card verifying receipt is hereby
attached.
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NOT
Dated this _____ day of ______________________
______________________________
Afant’s Name
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _________ day of _____________________,
_______.
________________________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Number:
______________________________________________________
My Commission Expires:
______________________________________________________
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Waiver of Notice
And/or
Consent to the Appointment of Guardian
I, _______________, of ________________________________, being _____ years of age,
state under oath that I am:
□ the above-named minor
□ one of the above-named minor children
□ the mother of the above-named minor children
□ the father of the above-named minor children
□ a maternal grandparent of the above-named minor children
□ a paternal grandparent of the above-named minor children
□ an adult brother of the above-named minor children
□ an adult sister of the above-named minor children
□ a person currently having custody of or with whom the above-named minor
children currently reside
□ a person who claims a right to custody of the above-named minor children
□ a person who claims a right to visitation with the above-named minor
children ;
and that I do hereby consent to the appointment of the Petitioner as guardian
of the person of the above-named minor child(ren).
Executed this ____ day of _______________________.
________________________________________________
Signature
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _________ day of _____________________,
_______.
________________________________________________
Court Clerk / Notary Public
My Commission Number:
______________________________________________________
My Commission Expires:
______________________________________________________
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Nomination of Guardian by a Minor
Fourteen Years of Ate or Above
________________________________, a minor , _______ years of age, having been
born on ____________________, _______, respectfully states :
1. I have received a copy of the Petition for Appointment of Guardian fled
herein by _________________________________________________, which Petition
seeks the appointment of the Petitioner(s) as guardian of □ of my person
and/or of □ my estate;
2. I am aware of my right to nominate a guardian to be appointed for me, and
that the Court will appoint the person(s) I nominate if the Court approves
that Petition, and
3. I hereby nominate :
____________________________________________________________
______________________ (print full names of persons nominated) as
guardian(s) of □ my person and/or □ my estate if the Court determines
that my nominees qualify under the law.
______________________________
(Signature of Minor)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _________ day of _____________________,
_______.
________________________________________________
Court Clerk / Notary Public
My Commission Number:
______________________________________________________
My Commission Expires:
______________________________________________________
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Order and Notice for Hearint for
Appointment as Guardian
Notice is hereby given that __________________ has fled a petition in this court to
be appointed guardian of
□ the person and/or
□ the estate
of the above-named minor(s),
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
The court will hear the petition on the _______ day of _____________________,
_______, at ______________ o’clock ___ m., in courtroom _____ of the _____________
County Courthouse. At that time, you or any other interested person may
appear and show cause why the Court should not grant the petition and make
the requested appointment.
Dated this ____ day of _______________, _____.
____________________________________________
Judge of the District Court
Name ___________________________________, Pro Se
Address _______________________________________
_______________________________________
Phone _______________________________________
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Oklahoma Sex Ofenders Retistration Act
Affidavit
I am not a person subject to registration under the Oklahoma Sex Ofenders
Registration Act. I am not married to or living with such a person, or a person
who ha been convicted of, or has charges pending for, a felony or any relevant
misdemeanor, nor is anyone living with me or frequently present in my home
previously been convicted of, or has charges pending for, a felony or any
relevant misdemeanor.
That as guardian of the above minor child(ren) under no circumstances shall I
permit the child to be left in the custody of a per son who is known to me to be
subject to registration under the Oklahoma Sex Ofenders Registration Act. Nor
shall I permit the children to be left in the custody of a person married or living
with such a person, or with any individual who has been convicted of any crime
involving domestic abuse. Nor shall these children be placed in the custody of
a person who has previously been convicted of, or has charges pending for, a
felony or nay relevant misdemeanor .
____________________________________________
Petitioner
Subscribed and sworn to before me on this _____ day of _______________.
____________________________________________
Court Clerk or Notary Public
My Commission Number:
______________________________________________________
My Commission Expires:
______________________________________________________
Exhibit _______ to Petition for Guardianship
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Plan for the Care and Treatment
Of the Ward(s)
I , ____________________________ (print name), the guardian of the person of the
minor
child(ren):
_____________________________________________ (print ward’s name(s))
_____________________________________________ (print ward’s address)
_____________________________________________ (print city, state, zip)
hereby submit this:
□ initial □ annual (check one)
Guardianship Plan for the Care and Treatment of the above-listed ward(s).
1. I believe the services necessary for the physical health and safety of the
ward(s) are as follows :
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________ (This list should include food, clothing, shelter,
education and medical care.)
2. These services will be obtained and/or provided as follows :
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
3. A separate guardian of the property of the ward(s)
□ has □ has not ( check one )
been appointed. If a separate guardian of the property has been
appointed, I will share with the guardian of the property all decisions as to
the care and treatment of the ward. If a separate guardian of the property
has not been appointed, I will make all such decisions consistent with the
Orders of the Court .
4. I believe that the following services will assist in fulflling the needs of the
ward(s) and in implementing the terms of the most recent dispositional
order:
□ authority to enroll the ward(s) in school
□ authority to consent to medical and psychological treatment for the
ward(s)
□ authority to determine the residence of the ward(s)
□ other _________________________________________
Please check all that apply .
____________________________________________
(Signature of Guardian)
____________________________________________
(Address)
____________________________________________
(City, State, Zip)
____________________________________________
(Phone)
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Plan for the Manatement of
The Property Of the Ward(s)
I , ____________________________ (print name), the guardian of the person of the
minor
child(ren):
_____________________________________________ (print ward’s name(s))
_____________________________________________ (print ward’s address)
_____________________________________________ (print city, state, zip)
hereby submit this:
□ initial □ annual (check one)
Guardianship Plan for the Management of the Property of the above-listed
ward(s).
1. I believe the services necessary for the management of the property of the
ward(s) are as follows :
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. These services will be obtained and/or provided as follows :
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
3. The decisions as to the management of the property of the ward will be
shared with the Guardian of the Person, if a separate Guardian of the
Person has been appointed, otherwise I will make all such decisions
consistent with the Orders of this Court.
4. I believe that the following services will assist in fulflling the needs of the
ward(s) and in implementing the terms of the Orders of this Court.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Executed this _______ day of _____________________, ______.
____________________________________________
(Signature of Guardian)
____________________________________________
(Address)
____________________________________________
(City, State, Zip)
____________________________________________
(Phone)
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Letters of Guardianship
_________________________________ is hereby appointed general guardian of the
person of ____________________________________.
WITNESS the undersigned Judge of the District Court of _________________
County, State of Oklahoma, this _______ day of ________________________________.
____________________________________________
Judge of the District Court
Oath of Guardian
I , ________________________, do solemnly swear that i will discharge all and
singular the duties of General Guardian of the person of
____________________________________________________
____________________________________ according to law, and to the best of my
ability .
____________________________________________
Guardian
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ______ day of ___________________, _____.
____________________________________________
Judge of the District Court
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Order for Hearint Petition for
Appointment of Guardian
Whereas, the Petition of _____________________________ having been fled in this
Court on the ______ day of _______________________, and it appearing that this
Court has jurisdiction and is the proper venue for the matters alleged therein,
the Court hereby Orders and Directs that said Petition be set for hearing on the
____ day of _________________ at _______ o’clock __. M. in the court room of Judge
_________________________________________ of the District Court.
Notice hereof shall be given by frst class mail with postage prepaid, sent to the
last known address of each of the following not less than ten (10 days prior to
the hearing date:
1. the minor, if fourteen (14) years of age or older,
2. both parents of the minor,
3. all grandparents of the minor,
4. all adult brothers and sisters of the minor;
5. any person currently having custody or with whom the minor resides;
and
6. all persons known to Petitioner who claim any rights to custody or
visitation with the minor.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court this _____ day of ________________.
____________________________________________
Judge of the District Court
In The District Court Of ______________ County
State Of Oklahoma
In The Matter Of )
The Guardianship Of ) PG - _______
____________________________ )
____________________________ )
(a) minor child(ren).
Notice of Petition for
Appointment of Guardian
You are hereby notifed that ________________________________________ has
petitioned this Court to be appointed guardian of the □ person and/or □ estate
of the above-named minor __________________________________ and that said
Petition will be heard in the court room of Judge _______________________________
in the _____________________ County Courthouse at
___________________________________________________ on the ____________ day of
________________________________, at ______ o’clock __. M. at which time you may
appear and show cause if any, why said Petition should not be granted.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court this _____ day of
__________________________.
____________________________________________
Judge of the District Court