General information
Guardianship involves the court appointing someone to make decisions for another person because the other person is not capable of managing their own affairs.
The State Court has an Introduction to Guardianship and Conservatorship, Alternatives, and Overview of Petitioning.
Washington LawHelp has:
- An overview of adult guardianship, conservatorship, and other protective arrangements
- Information about Supported Decision Making Agreements which are an alternative to guardianship.
Adult guardianship laws changed effective January 1, 2022. If you have a guardianship that was in place prior to that date, or want to learn more about the new law, the Administrative Office of the Courts has information about the transition to the new laws.
Forms and instructions
Washington state's official mandatory pattern forms for adult guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective arrangements cases are on the State Court website.
State Court forms for specific situations include:
- Request a Guardianship, Conservatorship, or Other Protective Arrangement
- Request an Emergency Guardianship and/or Conservatorship
- Guardianship and/or Conservatorship Reporting
- Close a Guardianship or Conservatorship
Additional forms (with some instructions) are available:
- Spokane County Superior Court has a website with instructions, a checklist, and forms for guardianship proceedings. Some of their checklists and instructions may be a helpful addition to the official court forms.
If there are problems with the guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective arrangement:
- How to Modify, Terminate or Complain about a Guardianship from Disability Rights Washington
- Forms to File a Guardianship and/or Conservatorship Complaint from the State Court
- A Notice of Right to Object to Guardian or Conservator Plan from the Clark County Superior Court Clerk's Office
Additional resources
Resources that are available from the State Court include:
- A Guardianship Portal with information about the guardianship process and programs as well as a search tool for finding a guardian.
- The required Lay Guardian Training for Adults and Conservators that can help you understand and carry out your duties and responsibilities as a guardian
The Family and Volunteer Guardian's Handbook answers some questions about the process. It was written for the prior law but offers some valuable general information.
The law library has some specialized forms for Clark County that apply to specific circumstances after a case is filed.
The Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program has a program to assist you with a guardianship if you meet the income qualifications. They can be reached at 360.695.5313.