Michigan Probate Court Guardianship Minor PC 651 and PC 650

When Court Guardianship Becomes Necessary

A Power of Attorney under MCL 700.5103 and the relative residency protections of MCL 380.1148 solve many kinship care situations without involving a court. But they have limits. When statutory grounds under MCL 700.5204 exist, such as parental death, disappearance, imprisonment, incompetency, or a child residing with another person without legal authority for care and maintenance, Probate Court guardianship may be an option.

PC 651: Full Guardianship of a Minor

SCAO Form PC 651 — the Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor — is the filing for full guardianship under MCL 700.5204. A relative or other interested person may petition for it.

When to use it:

• Parental rights of both parents, or the surviving parent, have been terminated or suspended by court order, death, disappearance, imprisonment, or adjudication of incompetency
• The parent(s) allowed the minor to live with another person without giving that person legal authority for care and maintenance, and the child is not residing with a parent
• An unmarried custodial parent has died or disappeared and the biological father was never granted legal custody by court order

The petitioner must complete Form PC 670 (Minor Guardianship Social History), which provides background information about both the child and the proposed guardian. If a parent is incarcerated, the petition must include their facility details for service of notice.

After filing, the court schedules a hearing. If no party objects, the hearing may be brief. If a parent contests the petition, it becomes an adversarial proceeding.

PC 650: Limited Guardianship

SCAO Form PC 650 — the Petition for Appointment of Limited Guardian of Minor — is filed under MCL 700.5205. This is a voluntary arrangement that requires the custodial parent's consent.

Key difference from PC 651: A limited guardianship requires the parent to agree and to file a Limited Guardianship Placement Plan (Form PC 652). The plan specifies:

• Why the guardianship is needed
• Parenting time schedule for the parent
• Financial support obligations
• What powers the guardian has vs. what the parent retains

Limited guardianship is designed for situations where a parent recognizes they temporarily can't care for the child but wants to maintain involvement. The parent retains certain rights outlined in the placement plan.

Filing Fees and Fee Waivers

• Initial petition filing: $175.00
• Certified copy of Letters of Guardianship (Form PC 633): $12.00 per copy
• Fee Waiver: Submit Form MC 20 at the time of filing if you qualify based on income

You'll want at least two certified copies of the Letters of Guardianship — one for school records and one for medical providers.

Required Forms Checklist

For full guardianship (PC 651):

• PC 651 — Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor
• PC 670 — Minor Guardianship Social History
• Filing fee or MC 20 Fee Waiver Request

For limited guardianship (PC 650):

• PC 650 — Petition for Appointment of Limited Guardian of Minor
• PC 652 — Limited Guardianship Placement Plan
• PC 670 — Minor Guardianship Social History
• Filing fee or MC 20 Fee Waiver Request

After appointment:

• PC 654 — Annual Report of Guardian on Condition of Minor (filed every year)

All forms are available free from the SCAO website and from Michigan Legal Help's guided interview tools.

Before Filing: Consider the Alternatives

Court guardianship involves filing fees, court appearances, and ongoing annual reporting (Form PC 654). If a parent is willing to sign a Power of Attorney under MCL 700.5103, that provides 180 days of school and medical authority without court involvement. Many families renew the POA every six months for years without needing guardianship.

Guardianship makes sense when the POA isn't workable — usually because the parent can't or won't sign, or because institutions demand a court order.

The Michigan School and Medical Consent Guide includes a decision framework that helps you determine whether your situation calls for a POA, a guardianship petition, or another pathway, with the statutory citations and form references for each.

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