Filing Procedures -
Adult Guardianships
Checklist

 

1. Gather the following documents:

A Doctor's letter explaining the need for guardianship may be required at or before the hearing.

2. Fill out the following forms:
   1. WCPC 99, Petitioner Filing Coversheet
   2. PC 625, Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Incapacitated Individual
      Click here for instructions on how to fill out form PC 625
      Note: Names and addresses of all interested persons must be listed on petition. If you are missing addresses for any interested person(s), after you receive the hearing information, you must arrange for notice via publication of the hearining information. Click here for more information.
   3. PC 617, Declaration of Intent to Give Notice by Publication. Complete a separate form PC 617 for each person to be notified by publication
   4. MC 505, Contact Information. This must be completed with the email and phone number of the petitioner and filed in order to schedule a hearing.
   5. MC 97, Protected Personal Identifying Information (information of the person who is the subject of the petition)
   6. WCPC 571, Acceptance of Appointment (completed and signed by proposed guardian)
      Click here for instructions on how to fill out form WCPC571
   7. MC 97a, Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (information of the proposed guardian)
   8. WCPC 571, Acceptance of Designation (completed and signed by proposed standby guardian, if any)
   9. MC 97a, Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (information of the proposed standby guardian)
      Important Note: You MUST use these forms; you cannot draft your own document
      
      
3. Click here to find out how you can file your petition
   


4. Submit your completed documents to the Court in the following order (as one PDF if submitting electronically):
1. WCPC 99, Petitioner Filing Coversheet
2. PC 625, Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Incapacitated Individual
3. PC 617, Declaration of Intent to Give Notice by Publication
4. WCPC 571, Acceptance of Appointment (proposed guardian)
5. WCPC 571, Acceptance of Designation (proposed standby guardian)
6. Medical Letter supporting need for guardianship, if any
7. MC 97, Protected Personal Identifying Information
8. MC 505, Contact Information
9. MC 97a, Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (proposed guardian)
10. MC 97a, Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (proposed standby guardian)
    
    
5. Filing Fee

   i. $175 Filing Fee
   ii. $12 Certified Letter of Authority Fee
   iii. If you file electronically or by fax, you will receive a notification to pay with the amount of your total fees, once your filing has been accepted.
   iv. Fees can be paid:
   
   1) electronically via ePayment online or
   2) via mail by CHECK (no out-of-state checks)or MONEY ORDER
   3) Make checks payable to: “Wayne County Probate Court”
   4) Mail checks/money order along with a letter with your case # referencing what the payment is for to:
   

   Wayne County Probate Court
   

   1305 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
   

   2 Woodward Ave.
   

   Detroit, MI. 48226
   
   v. A fee waiver request can be submitted together with your petition. Click here to learn about the fee waiver process.
6. Hearing Date

   i. Once fee is paid you will be sent notice of hearing information, including ZOOM instructions.
   ii. You must serve a copy of the petition and the hearing information on all the interested persons.
   iii. All hearings are being conducted by ZOOM.
   iv. You must attend the ZOOM hearing or your petition will be dismissed.

7. Guardian ad Litem

   The court must, by law, appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to meet with the individual who is the subject of the petition for guardianship and explain to that individual their rights, the purpose of the hearing, and basic information relating to guardianships and the petition before the court.

8. Letters of Guardianship

   i. After the hearing, if your petition has been granted and you have paid the $12 fee you will be sent Letters of Guardianship
   ii. They will be sent via email with an electronic certification
   iii. If you did not provide an email address they will be mailed to you

Rev. 9/2024