ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

How can a person become a legal guardian?

Updated on: August 7th, 2022

A petitioner must complete and file numerous court documents and appear at a hearing to be appointed as guardian. A petition for guardianship must be filed by anyone seeking guardianship.

A petition for guardianship must be accompanied by Medical Documentation. In a case where the incapacitated person has a clinically diagnosed intellectual disability, a clinical team report is required. This report must be signed by a physician, a psychologist, and a social worker. The clinical team report is valid for 180 days from the earliest examination date.

For all other cases, a medical certificate is required and must be signed by a physician, psychologist, or psychiatric nurse. A medical certificate is valid for 30 days from the date of examination.

A Court must be satisfied that the incapacitated person is, in fact, incapacitated, and that the proposed person is suitable to serve as the incapacitated person’s guardian.

Questions?

Feel free to text us with questions, or visit our support center for information and insights. 

Find Answers

Sign up to receive occasional resources and Mass Care Link News