What court hears a Connecticut guardianship of a minor petition?

The Probate Court, also called the Court of Probate, for the district where the child resides, is domiciled, or is located when the petition is filed. A contested case may be transferred to the Superior Court or to a Regional Children's Probate Court.

Is there an official Connecticut guardianship petition form?

Yes, but Connecticut does not use one universal petition. When a minor has no parent or guardian, the case is filed on Probate Court Administrator form PC-508. When a sole parent or guardian wants to add a coguardian, the form is PC-509. When a parent or existing guardian seeks a temporary guardian, the form is PC-504. In each case, the court's form controls.

What is a Connecticut coguardian, and how is it different from an ordinary guardian?

A coguardian is a second guardian added alongside a child's sole parent or guardian, sharing full and independently exercisable authority rather than replacing anyone. That sole parent or guardian can petition for a coguardian to take effect immediately or to spring into effect automatically on a stated future contingency, such as the parent's incapacity or death, without a second court hearing.

How long can a Connecticut temporary guardian serve?

No longer than one year from the date of the Probate Court's decree. Only a parent or an existing court-appointed guardian, not an unrelated third party, may apply for a temporary guardian, and the temporary guardian serves alongside the parent rather than in place of them. The appointing parent can end the arrangement earlier at any time by written notice to the court and the temporary guardian.

Who must be notified of a Connecticut guardianship petition, and does the child get a say?

The court orders notice by first-class mail, sent at least 10 days before the hearing, to the minor if age 12 or older, the petitioner, and other parties in interest. A child age 12 or older also has their wishes weighed by the court when it chooses a guardian, though the child's own consent is legally required only when a permanent guardian is being appointed after a parent's removal.

Does a Connecticut guardianship end a parent's parental rights?

No. This proceeding is not adoption and does not terminate a parent's parental rights. A parent who is removed as guardian may later apply to the Probate Court for reinstatement if the reasons behind the removal have been resolved, although that right does not extend to a permanent guardianship ordered after a parent's removal on clear and convincing findings.

Will Connecticut investigate before appointing a guardian, and does the child get a lawyer?

The Probate Court must request an investigation and report from the Department of Children and Families whenever abuse or neglect is alleged or reasonably suspected, and otherwise generally requests one unless that requirement is waived for cause shown. The court must appoint an attorney for the child if abuse or neglect is alleged or suspected, may appoint one in other cases, and may separately appoint a guardian ad litem.

Does a Connecticut guardian need to post bond?

Not automatically for a guardian of the person; the court orders a bond only if it decides the child's protection requires one. For a guardian of the minor's estate, the court may require a probate bond and the appointment is not effective until it is filed, though a judge may waive it if the estate's assets are under $20,000, or if the portion not restricted by court order is under $10,000.

Is there a way to arrange care for a Connecticut child without going to Probate Court every time?

A parent or guardian can sign a standby guardian designation naming someone to step in on a specified contingency, such as the parent's incapacity or death, without filing anything with the Probate Court to make the designation. It lasts one year or until the contingency no longer exists, whichever is sooner, or 90 days after the parent's death if death is the contingency, after which formal Probate Court guardianship is needed to continue.

What if the child's Connecticut parents are disputing custody with each other, not asking for a guardian?

A guardianship petition is not the right tool for a dispute between two parents; child custody agreement and parenting plan resources address that situation instead.

Connecticut Guardianship of a Minor Petition

Connecticut hears a guardianship of a minor petition in the Probate Court for the district where the child lives, uses circumstance-specific Probate Court Administrator forms such as PC-508 and PC-509 instead of one universal petition, and lets a sole parent or guardian add a coguardian who can take over on a stated future contingency.

Find out where you stand in Connecticut

Where are you with the guardianship?

DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.

Introduction

In Connecticut, a relative or other adult who wants to care for a child petitions the Probate Court for the district where the child resides, is domiciled, or is located, to appoint a guardian of the person of the minor under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-616. When the minor has no parent or guardian at all, the case is filed on Probate Court Administrator form PC-508; the court's form controls. If the child already has a sole parent or guardian, that parent may instead petition on form PC-509 to add a coguardian, a second guardian who can be structured to take effect on a stated future contingency such as the parent's incapacity or death. A parent or existing guardian, not a third party, can ask for a temporary guardian on form PC-504; it lasts no longer than one year from the court's decree and serves alongside the parent, not in place of them. The court orders notice by first-class mail, sent at least 10 days beforehand, to the minor if age 12 or older, the petitioner, and other parties in interest. The court must request a Department of Children and Families investigation when abuse or neglect is alleged or suspected, and may appoint an attorney or guardian ad litem for the child. A bond is not automatic for a guardian of the person but may be required for a guardian of the estate. This proceeding does not terminate a parent's parental rights and is not adoption. If the child is in immediate danger, contact the Department of Children and Families and consider a protective order rather than relying on this petition. Attorney review is available before you file.

Key Things to Know

1
Connecticut hears a guardianship of a minor petition in the Probate Court (Court of Probate) for the district where the child resides, is domiciled, or is located; a contested case may be transferred to the Superior Court or a Regional Children's Probate Court. When the minor has no parent or guardian, the case is filed on Probate Court Administrator form PC-508. When a sole parent or guardian instead wants to add a second guardian, the form is PC-509. The court's form controls.
2
A parent or an existing court-appointed guardian, not a third party, may ask the Probate Court to appoint a temporary guardian on form PC-504. A temporary guardianship lasts no longer than one year from the date of the court's decree, and the temporary guardian serves alongside the parent rather than replacing them; the appointing parent can end it earlier at any time by written notice to the court and the temporary guardian.
3
The court orders notice of the hearing by first-class mail, sent not less than 10 days before the hearing, to the minor if age 12 or older, the petitioner, and all other parties in interest known to the court. For a guardian of the minor's estate, notice instead goes to the parents or guardian of the person, the minor if 12 or older, and anyone else the court determines.
4
Age 12 matters in three separate ways and they are easy to mix up: it triggers the minor's own right to notice of the hearing, it is the age at which the court must weigh the minor's stated wishes when choosing a guardian, and, unlike an ordinary guardianship, it is the age at which a minor's own consent becomes legally required, but only for a permanent guardian appointed after a parent has been removed.
5
A parent's consent to removal as guardian is itself one of the grounds the Probate Court can rely on to remove that parent. Without consent, removal instead requires clear and convincing evidence of abandonment, denial of necessary care, physical injury or maltreatment, or neglect as Connecticut law defines it. This proceeding does not terminate a parent's parental rights, and a parent later removed as guardian may ask the court for reinstatement if the reasons for removal have been resolved, although that right does not extend to a permanent guardianship ordered after removal.
6
The Probate Court must request an investigation and report from the Department of Children and Families whenever abuse or neglect is alleged or reasonably suspected, and otherwise generally requests one unless that requirement is waived for cause shown. The court must appoint an attorney for the child if abuse or neglect is alleged or suspected, may appoint one in other cases, and may separately appoint a guardian ad litem.
7
A bond is not automatic for a guardian of the person, only ordered if the court decides the child's protection requires it. For a guardian of the minor's estate, the court may require a probate bond and the appointment is not effective until it is filed, though a probate judge may waive the bond if the estate's assets are under $20,000, or if the portion not restricted by court order is under $10,000.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Guardianship of a Minor Petition in Connecticut, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Guardianship of a Minor Petition guide walks through them.

Open the Guardianship of a Minor Petition guide

Customize your Guardianship of a Minor Petition Template with DocDraft

COURT OF PROBATE, DISTRICT OF [PROBATE DISTRICT] STATE OF CONNECTICUT

PROBATE COURT DOCKET NO. [DOCKET NUMBER]

IN RE: [CHILD'S FULL NAME], A MINOR

PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN OF THE PERSON OF A MINOR

This petition follows Connecticut Probate Court Administrator form PC-508; the court's form controls and should be used for filing.

TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF PROBATE:

The undersigned petitioner, [PETITIONER NAME], of [PETITIONER ADDRESS], respectfully represents:

RELATIONSHIP TO THE MINOR. Petitioner is the [RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD] of [CHILD'S FULL NAME], born [DATE OF BIRTH], who currently resides at [CHILD'S CURRENT ADDRESS] in the Probate District of [PROBATE DISTRICT].
THE PARENTS. The minor's mother, [MOTHER'S NAME], last known address [MOTHER'S ADDRESS OR WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN], and father, [FATHER'S NAME], last known address [FATHER'S ADDRESS OR WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN], are each [STATUS OF EACH PARENT: DECEASED, OR WITHOUT GUARDIANSHIP RIGHTS].
WHY GUARDIANSHIP IS NEEDED. The minor presently has no parent with guardianship rights and no court-appointed guardian of the person, for the following reasons: [DESCRIPTION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAKING GUARDIANSHIP NECESSARY].
PROPOSED GUARDIAN'S QUALIFICATIONS. Petitioner is [AGE] years old, resides at the address above, and is a fit and proper person to serve as guardian because [DESCRIPTION OF PETITIONER'S QUALIFICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MINOR]. Petitioner seeks appointment as guardian of the person of the minor.
BOND. Petitioner [REQUEST REGARDING BOND: THAT BOND BE WAIVED, OR A PROPOSED BOND AMOUNT], based on [DESCRIPTION OF THE MINOR'S ESTATE, IF ANY].
NOTICE. Notice of the hearing on this petition will be given by first-class mail to the minor, if age 12 or older, to the petitioner, and to all other parties in interest known to the court, as the court orders.

WHEREFORE, petitioner requests that the Court of Probate appoint petitioner guardian of the person of the above-named minor, and grant such other relief as the court deems just and equitable.

VERIFICATION

The undersigned, being duly sworn, states that the foregoing petition is true to the best of petitioner's knowledge and belief.

[SIGNATURE OF PETITIONER] [PETITIONER NAME] [DATE]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this [DATE].

[NOTARY OR COMMISSIONER OF THE SUPERIOR COURT SIGNATURE AND SEAL]

Connecticut Requirements for Guardianship of a Minor Petition

Probate Court Has Venue Where the Child Is Found
A guardianship of a minor petition is filed in the Probate Court for the district where the child resides, is domiciled, or is located when the petition is filed; a contested case may be transferred to the Superior Court or a Regional Children's Probate Court (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-616(a)).
Circumstance-Specific Petition Forms, Not One Universal Form
Connecticut uses different Probate Court Administrator forms depending on the circumstances: PC-508 when the minor has no parent or guardian, PC-509 to add a coguardian, and PC-504 for a temporary guardian. The court's form controls.
Temporary Guardianship Capped at One Year
A temporary guardian appointed on the application of a parent or existing guardian may serve no longer than one year from the date of the court's decree, and serves alongside the parent rather than replacing them (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-622(a)).
Notice by First-Class Mail At Least 10 Days Before the Hearing
The court orders notice of the hearing by first-class mail, sent not less than 10 days before the hearing, to the minor if age 12 or older, the petitioner, and other parties in interest known to the court (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-616(c)).
Age 12 Governs Notice, Preference, and Consent Differently
A minor age 12 or older must receive notice of the hearing by first-class mail and has their wishes weighed by the court in choosing a guardian; the minor's own consent is required only for a permanent guardian appointed after a parent's removal (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-616(c), 45a-617(a)(2), 45a-616a(a)(3)).
DCF Investigation Mandatory When Abuse or Neglect Is Suspected
The Probate Court must request an investigation and report from the Department of Children and Families in any proceeding where abuse or neglect is alleged or reasonably suspected, and otherwise generally requests one unless waived for cause shown (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-619).
Bond Not Automatic for a Guardian of the Person
A bond for a guardian of the person is ordered only if the court deems it necessary for the child's protection. A guardian of the estate's bond may be waived if the estate's assets are under $20,000, or if the portion not restricted by court order is under $10,000 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-139(b)-(c); § 45a-616(a)).
Standby Guardian Designation Is a Court-Free Alternative
A parent or guardian can designate a standby guardian to take over on a specified contingency by a signed, witnessed statutory form, without filing it with the Probate Court. It lasts one year or until the contingency no longer exists, whichever is sooner; if the contingency is the principal's death, it lasts 90 days after the death (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-624 to 45a-624g).
Coguardian Addition Can Take Effect Without a Second Hearing
A sole parent or guardian may petition to add a coguardian who shares full authority and can be structured to take effect automatically on a stated future contingency, verified by the coguardian's written affidavit (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-616(b)).

Find out where you stand in Connecticut

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Guardianship of a Minor Petition Template with DocDraft

Connecticut Requirements for Guardianship of a Minor Petition

Probate Court Has Venue Where the Child Is Found

Circumstance-Specific Petition Forms, Not One Universal Form

Temporary Guardianship Capped at One Year

Notice by First-Class Mail At Least 10 Days Before the Hearing

Age 12 Governs Notice, Preference, and Consent Differently

DCF Investigation Mandatory When Abuse or Neglect Is Suspected

Bond Not Automatic for a Guardian of the Person

Standby Guardian Designation Is a Court-Free Alternative

Coguardian Addition Can Take Effect Without a Second Hearing

Frequently Asked Questions