Autofill Legal Virginia Guardianship Forms For Free

Attorneys' fees for opening any guardianship can range from a minimum of $1,500 to an average of $3,500. Court costs, which include filing fees, service fees, and fees for letters of guardianship, can also quickly reach in excess of $1,000.

While it is possible to represent yourself in court when seeking appointment as a child's legal guardian, working with a family law attorney can ensure that you don't miss any important steps in the legal process.

Legal guardianship means a court grants someone other than a biological parent the right to care for a minor. Custody (most often) generally describes a parent caring for his or her own child. Guardianship does not always grant custody or definitively mean a biological parent's custody is revoked.

Petition: Any person may file a petition with a Virginia circuit court stating that a Virginia resident needs a guardian or conservator to manage some or all of his/her affairs. This person is called the petitioner. The person claimed in the petition to need a Guardian or a Conservator is called the respondent.

Process to Become Appointed by the Judge as a Guardian for the Person of a Minor You must fully comply with all the requirements of the Code of Virginia. You must prepare and file a petition requesting appointment of a Guardian at the Clerk of the Circuit Court Civil Division window with the appropriate filing fees.

The person for whom a guardian or conservator is appointed is called the incapacitated person. A guardian is the person appointed to handle the affairs of the incapacitated person. A conservator handles the financial affairs of the incapacitated person. The guardian and conservator may be the same person.