Guardianship of Minor

questions & answers

Question: can a mother just write a note giving another adult temporary guardian over her 15 almost 16 year old daughter

Answer: (1) General Procedure for Starting a Guardianship for a Minor:
• Generally, if a person wishes to be appointed as a guardian of a minor and the parent(s) agree to that appointment, the person seeking appointment files the following documents with the Court:
o Court Cover Sheet
o Petition for Appointment as Guardian for a Minor
o Affidavit of Person to Be Appointed
o Consent of Parent to Guardianship
• After these forms are filed, the "proposed guardian" requests a hearing date from the court. (There is typically a form to do so).
• After a hearing date has been scheduled, the proposed guardian is required to provide notice of the hearing to all interested parties.
• Additionally, if the proposed guardian is not related by blood to the minor child, then prior to the hearing the proposed guardian is required to submit to "fingerprinting" so that a criminal background check may be performed.  (ARS § 14-5206).  Usually, the local sheriff's department can perform the fingerprinting service.
(2) Forms and Instructions:
   Here are links to instructions and forms:
Maricopa County:
• Initial Paperwork (Petition, Affidavit, Consent, Fingerprinting, Requesting a Hearing):
o Instructions
o Forms 
• Giving Notice of the Hearing:
o Instructions 
o Forms 
• Preparing for the Hearing:
o Instructions 
o Forms 
• What to do after the Hearing:
o Instructions
o Forms 
Pima County
• Forms & Instructions
Coconino County:
• Forms and Instructions:
Mohave County:
• Forms and Instructions