Limited Guardianship for Minors

Filing Procedures

  • Note: The Court is prohibited by law (Sec. 1211 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code [EPIC]) from providing legal advice and completing forms. This item provides general information concerning the filing procedures for minor limited guardianships and may be useful as a guide. If you have any questions, consider contacting an attorney for assistance.
  • Filing Fee: $175 per child (Plus $12 for copy of letters of guardianship after hearing)
    • Note: This fee may be waived if the person filing for Guardianship can show they are indigent.
  • Forms Used:
    • Instructions (PDF)
    • PC 650 (PDF), Petition for Appointment of Limited Guardian of Minor
    • PC 670 (PDF), Minor Guardianship Social History
    • PC 562 (PDF), Notice of Hearing
    • Records Check Release Form (PDF)
    • PC 652 (PDF), Limited Guardianship Placement Plan
    • PC 571 (PDF), Acceptance of Appointment
    • PC 654 (PDF), Annual Report of Guardian on Condition of Minor (Note: This form is used after a guardian is appointed and must be filed each year.)

The minor who needs a guardian must either be a resident of Muskegon County or be living with someone in Muskegon County at the time the petition is filed with the Court. If the minor is at least 14 years of age, the minor must also sign his/her consent to the guardianship.

Family Court Matters

If there is a Family Court matter pending this guardianship will be assigned to that Court and filed on the 6th Floor Circuit court Records.

The proposed guardian(s) must be present for the hearing. A Guardian ad Litem must be appointed to represent any minor parent.

Who can File 

Only the custodial parent(s) of the child can file a Limited Guardianship Petition. If there are two custodial parents, both must sign the petition. If someone other than the custodial parent(s) wants to become guardian of a minor, the person must file a petition for full guardianship.

Placement Plan

The custodial parent(s) must also file a Limited Guardianship Placement Plan (PC 652 (PDF)) with the petition. The plan must include information on the following:

  • Reason(s) for limited guardianship
  • Visitation and contact by parent(s) sufficient to maintain parent / child relationship
  • Length of limited guardianship
  • Financial support for minor
  • Any other provisions parties agree to include

Service Publication

Service Publication is required for persons whose address or whereabouts are unknown. You may wish to contact:

Norton-Lakeshore Examiner
950 W Norton Avenue, Suite 402
P.O. Box 357
Muskegon, MI 49443
Phone: 231-739-6397
Fax: 231-737-1520
Friday noon deadline / publish on Wednesdays

Muskegon County Legal News
950 W Norton Avenue, Suite 402
P.O. Box 357
Muskegon, MI 49443
Phone: 231-739-6397
Fax: 231-737-1520
Wednesday noon deadline / publish on Mondays

The Muskegon Chronicle
981 Third Street, 2nd Floor
Display / Advertising Department
Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone: 231-726-3200
Fax: 231-726-3434

The White Lake Beacon
432 E Spring
P.O. BOX 98
Whitehall, MI 49461
Phone: 231-894-5356
Fax: 231-894-2174
Thursday at 1 p.m. deadline / publish on Sundays

Interested Persons

The interested persons need to be listed on the petition, along with their proper address. If an interested person is not included or is not properly served, the hearing cannot be held. The interested persons in a petition for appointment of a limited guardian of a minor are:

  • The minor, if 14 years of age or older
  • If known, each person who had the principal care and custody of the minor during the 63 days before the petition was filed
  • The parents of the minor or, if neither of them is living, any grandparents and the adult presumptive heirs of the minor
  • The nominated guardian

In guardianship cases, if a party is incarcerated under the jurisdiction of the michigan department of corrections, their name, address, and prisoner number must be listed on the petition to obtain this information, call 517-373-0284.

Hearing Date

Your Petition will be set for hearing by the Court. Typically, the hearing date is 6 to 8 weeks after the petition is filed. You must attend the hearing or your Petition will be dismissed