Surrogate's Court Guardianship Forms Guide

These forms are not the same as every custody or family-law form a user may search for. If you searched for Nassau County family court forms because a child inherited money, received settlement funds, or needs a guardian connected to estate property, Surrogate's Court guardianship may be relevant.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Guardianship affects personal rights, money, healthcare, education, and long-term decision-making. Get legal advice when the facts are disputed or the requested powers are broad.

Article 17 guardianship may apply when a child is 17 or younger, not married, and not in military service. Surrogate's Court may appoint a guardian when one or both parents are unable to care for the child or when the child has inherited or been awarded money or property.

A guardian of the person may make care decisions. A guardian of the property may safeguard money or property until the child reaches the age required by law or court order. If the child is 14 or older, the child's consent may be required.

Common forms can include a petition for appointment, consent or waiver forms, citation forms, affidavits, proposed decree, and bond-related documents if property is involved.

The G-2B packet is commonly associated with appointment of a guardian for a child's property. This often appears when a child receives funds through an estate, insurance payment, settlement, wrongful death distribution, or other court-approved transfer.

Property guardianship packets tend to require careful asset details because the court needs to understand what money or property will be protected, where it will be held, and what reporting duties the guardian will have.

Article 17-A guardianship is used for a person with an intellectual or developmental disability. The petitioner may need to file a guardianship petition, proposed guardian oath/designation documents, affidavits, medical or psychological certifications, notice or citation documents, and other required supporting forms.

Article 17-A can be broad. It may affect healthcare, financial, residential, and personal decision-making. Users should understand that this is not simply a form filing. The court may hold a hearing and review whether guardianship is appropriate.

Guardianship packets are often delayed because interested parties were omitted, addresses were incomplete, asset values were unclear, required consents were missing, medical certifications were incomplete, or the wrong court was selected.

If the issue is custody between parents or a broader adult incapacity case, another court process may apply. For adult incapacity not covered by Article 17-A, Article 81 guardianship is generally handled outside Surrogate's Court.