offered by
Probate and Family Court
Massachusetts Court System
related to
Guardianship

Guardianship & Conservatorship of Incapacitated Persons

Learn about who can become a guardian of an incapacitated adult and what the guardianship process is like.

Guardianship is a legal process that grants the guardian authority to care for and make decisions on behalf of an incapacitated adult. An incapacitated person is someone with a clinically diagnosed condition that leaves them unable to make or communicate decisions affecting their physical health, safety, or self-care. The person asking to be named guardian is called the petitioner, and the person believed to be incapacitated is called the respondent.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

File for guardianship of an incapacitated person  Request temporary guardianship of an incapacitated person 

What you need to know

Find out if you can become a legal guardian of an incapacitated person  Learn about the responsibilities of a guardian of an incapacitated person  Learn about ending guardianship of an incapacitated person  Learn about the responsibilities of a conservator of a protected person  Learn how to get help with filing for guardianship  Forms, resources, and rules about guardianship of incapacitated persons 
See all 8 of Guardianship & Conservatorship of Incapacitated Persons 

Locations

A list of court locations where you can file for guardianship of an incapacitated person

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