How to Obtain Guardianship Papers for a Minor in Ohio

Ohio allows you to petition for guardianship of a minor.

Ohio allows a resident to obtain guardianship of a minor in three ways. Parents of a minor may name a guardian for their child in the event that they can't take of him. A family member, friend or corporation can seek guardianship of a minor when parents are unable to care for the child. The state also allows a minor over the age of 14 to nominate a guardian to take care of her. If you're seeking guardianship without parents or the minor nominating you, you must follow the steps outlined by Ohio law.

Instructions

1. Meet state requirements. The state requires any person seeking guardianship of a minor to be an Ohio resident. Thus, if you live in another state, you may have to move to Ohio to start guardianship procedures.

2. Decide the type of guardianship you want. Limited guardianship provides you specific rights over the minor. Emergency guardianship immediately makes you the minor's guardian. Person and/or state guardianship gives you control of the minor's personal needs. Interim guardianship allows you to step in when another guardian is removed.

3. Go to the Ohio probate court in the county where the minor resides. You may only seek guardianship of the minor in the county where he lives. If the minor lives in Warren County but you live in Butler County, go to Warren County's probate court.

4. Request a guardianship application. To start the guardianship process, you must file an application on court-approved probate court forms.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want guardianship immediately, seek emergency guardianship. The court grants the guardianship for a specific amount of time. An interim guardianship allows you to step in for another guardian who isn't able to serve or is removed by the court. Both types of guardianship are only for a short amount of time. If you want the guardianship to last longer, seek estate and/ or person guardianship.

• An emergency guardianship may become permanent if the court rules in your favor.

• Guardianship over a minor's estate gives you the right to make financial decisions for the minor. These decisions include how the minor spends money.

• Return the application to the probate court where you went to request the document. You may have to pay a fee to file the application.

• You must attend a hearing for the court to grant you guardianship over the minor. If the court denies your application, you won't obtain guardianship.

• Guardianship of a minor, regardless of the type of guardianship you choose, ends when he turns 18 years old.

References

• Franklin County Probate Court: Guardianship Information