How to File for Guardianship in Michigan

Decide Which Type of Guardianship Fits

Michigan probate court offers two paths for minor guardianship, and choosing the wrong one wastes your filing fee and delays the case.

Full guardianship under MCL 700.5204 applies when a statutory ground exists. Grounds include termination or suspension of both parents' or the surviving parent's rights by a prior court order, divorce or separate-maintenance judgment, death, judicial incompetency, disappearance, or confinement in a detention facility; a parent permitting the child to live with someone else without giving that person legal authority for care while the child is not living with a parent when the petition is filed; or the statutory situation involving never-married parents, a deceased or missing custodial parent, no court custody order for the noncustodial parent, and a proposed guardian related within the fifth degree. A person interested in the child's welfare, or a minor aged 14 or older, may file.

Limited guardianship under MCL 700.5205 is voluntary. Only the custodial parent or parents can file, and all custodial parents must consent. The petition includes a placement plan (SCAO Form PC 652) with goals and a timeline for the parents to resume custody.

If the parents won't cooperate or can't be found, a limited guardianship may not be available; consider full guardianship only if one of its statutory grounds applies.

Gather the Forms

All SCAO (State Court Administrative Office) forms are free from the Michigan courts website. For a full guardianship, you need:

• PC 651 — Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor
• PC 571 — Acceptance of Appointment (you sign this)
• PC 670 — Minor Guardianship Social History (confidential, sealed by court)
• MC 97 — Protected Personal Identifying Information
• DHS-1929 — Central Registry Clearance Request (child abuse/neglect check through MDHHS)
• Local criminal background check form — varies by county

For limited guardianship, swap PC 651 for PC 650 and add PC 652 (the placement plan).

Complete the Petition

PC 651 asks for identifying information about the child, both parents, and the proposed guardian. You'll state which statutory ground applies under MCL 700.5204(2). Be specific — courts want facts, not generalizations. If the child has been living with you since a parent entered treatment on a specific date, say so.

The Social History (PC 670) covers the child's current living arrangement, health, education, and relationship with the biological parents. This form is sealed — it's not part of the public record.

File and Pay the Fee

Submit your packet to the probate court in the county where the child resides or is present when you file. You can file through MiFILE (Michigan's electronic filing system) in participating counties, or in person at the clerk's office.

The filing fee is $175. If your household income is below state poverty guidelines or you receive need-based public assistance such as FIP, SNAP, or SSI, file MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request) alongside your petition. The court reviews your financial information and either approves the waiver or gives you a deadline to pay.

Serve Notice on All Interested Parties

Due process requires that everyone with a legal interest in the child receives formal notice of the guardianship hearing. Michigan Court Rules specify the interested persons:

• Each parent whose parental rights have not been terminated
• The child, if 14 or older
• Any person currently caring for the child
• Any existing guardian or conservator
• The proposed guardian

Notice must be served at least 7 days before the hearing for personal service, or mailed at least 14 days before the hearing. File Proof of Service (PC 564) with the court before the hearing.

If a parent is incarcerated, MCR 2.004 requires notice to the correctional facility and arrangements for the parent's participation by phone or video. If a parent's location is unknown after a genuine search, you can ask the court for substituted service by publication.

Complete the Background Checks

The court orders background checks on all proposed guardians and adult household members:

• DHS-1929: Central Registry clearance through MDHHS (child abuse/neglect history)
• Criminal history check: Managed through the court clerk or local law enforcement

The court reviews the background clearances as part of the appointment decision. Submit the DHS-1929 when directed; processing time can affect the schedule.

Attend the Hearing

At the hearing, the probate judge or referee reviews the petition, the background check results, any objections from interested parties, and — if one was appointed — the guardian ad litem's report.

Come prepared with:

• Photo ID
• Your copies of all filed documents
• Background check receipts
• Any supporting evidence (medical records, school communications, police reports)
• Notes on the child's current situation and your caregiving arrangement

If no one objects and the background checks are clear, the hearing may be brief. Contested cases can take longer, especially if the court needs testimony.

If the court grants the petition, it issues an Order Regarding Appointment of Guardian/Limited Guardian of Minor (PC 653) and Letters of Guardianship (PC 570) — the certified document you'll show to schools, doctors, and agencies.

What Comes After

Guardianship isn't a one-time filing. You're required to submit an Annual Report (PC 654) every year within 28 days after the anniversary of your appointment, updating the court on the child's condition, education, and living situation. Missing the report can put the guardianship at risk of court action.

The Michigan Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide walks through each of these steps with a filing-order checklist, notice tracker for complicated parental situations, and a post-appointment compliance calendar to keep you on track after the hearing.

See more Michigan guides →