Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Indiana

Any person may petition the probate court to appoint a guardian for a minor; the petition describes the minor, any property, the proposed guardian and the reasons. The court appoints a guardian if it finds the person is a minor and a guardian is necessary to provide care and supervision of the minor's person or property; if a guardian is not in the minor's best interest, the court may instead enter a protective order, another order, or dismiss.

Any person may petition for a guardian for an incapacitated adult. The petition must describe the nature of the incapacity, any limitations requested for a limited guardianship, and the petitioner's efforts to use less restrictive alternatives first, including which alternatives were considered or tried and why. The court appoints a guardian if it finds the person is incapacitated and a guardian is necessary for care and supervision of the person or property; where the person's welfare is best served by a limited guardianship, the court must tailor orders to encourage self-reliance and independence.