Minor Guardianships

There are two types of guardianships of minors handled through the Probate Court 1) a limited guardianship (MCL 700.5205); and 2) a full guardianship (MCL 700.5204). The statutes cited explain the requirements for each type of guardianship.

Minor guardianships, once established through the Court, are not temporary but rather continue until the age of eighteen or terminated by the Court. An order establishing a guardianship will state that the minor may not be returned to the parent(s) without a prior court order.

Upon the filing of a petition, a hearing will be scheduled at least 5 to 6 weeks after the filing of the petition to allow the Department of Human Services to perform an investigation of the proposed guardianship and make a recommendation to the Court as to the appropriateness of the guardianship and proposed guardian.