Superior Court

GUARDIANSHIPS

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Sometimes decisions need to be made for another person when they lack the capacity to make or communicate decisions. In many cases, the person asking the court to make decisions on behalf of another person is not a lawyer or a professional guardian. 

Guardianship involves the court appointing someone to make decisions for another person about their health and welfare such as their living situation or medical care because the other person is not capable of managing their own affairs.

Conservatorship involves the court appointing someone to handle the finances and property issues of another person who cannot manage their own affairs. 

Sometimes both of these are necessary and sometimes only one is necessary. The process is the same whether you are asking for only guardianship, only conservatorship, or both. The laws about guardianship, conservatorship, and other protective arrangements are in RCW Chapter 11.130. 

Helpful Resources:

The court cannot provide legal advice, however there are helpful free resources designed to assist people requesting guardianships and conservatorships.

Washington Courts Portal for Lay Guardian/Conservators for Adults

Washington State Courts - Guardian Portal 

The portal includes:

• Training for Guardians and Conservators for adults
• Webinars discussing information and procedures to help Guardians and Conservators. Some webinars give options for asking questions during the presentation
• Links to resources
• Information about the 2022 Guardianship Laws
• And much more

WashingtonLawHelp.org

Adult guardianship guide | Washington Law Help

The Adult Guardianship Guide: 

• Explains the Guardianship process
• Explains the different types of Guardianships
• Defines Guardianship and Conservatorship
• Links to forms
• And much more

Forms

Forms required in Guardianships and Conservatorships are regularly updated by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Current forms are available for free at: Washington State Courts - Court Forms

• Always use current forms
• All documents must be filled out completely with information answering all questions

Review of Documents

Skagit County Superior Court provides oversight for all guardianship and/or conservatorship cases that are within the Court's jurisdiction under the provisions of RCW Chapter 11.130. Guardians and conservators are required to provide reports to the Court regarding their activities on behalf of individual(s) under their care.

The court is not currently accepting appointments with the facilitator for adult guardianships and conservatorships.  

Any reports must be filed and reviewed at a review hearing. If a review hearing was not already scheduled on a court order, you must file a note for calendar to schedule the hearing. The note for calendar may be found here: Superior Court Forms 

• File your review documents in the Clerk’s Office or through the Clerk’s electronic submission process
• For previously issued guardianships/conservatorships, “no changes” is not an answer
• The hearing must be noted at least nine court days before the hearing and comply with any other statutory notice requirements

NOTE: Documents presented to the court are scanned into case files. Every piece of paper must be the standard 8.5” X 11” white paper. INFORMATION MUST BE PRINTED ON ONE SIDE, NEVER BOTH. Documents not meeting this requirement will not be accepted by the Clerk.

After the review is accepted and a court order is entered, you will need to make arrangements with the Clerk’s Office to receive new Guardianship / Conservatorship letters.