How to File for Guardianship in Connecticut

Before You File: Know Which Track You're On

Connecticut uses "guardianship" specifically for adults with intellectual disabilities (IQ of 69 or below with adaptive deficits originating before age eighteen). If the individual has an IQ of 70 or above — including many people with autism, traumatic brain injuries, or psychiatric conditions — you need to file for conservatorship instead (Form PC-300), which follows a different procedure.

This guide covers the guardianship track under C.G.S. § 45a-670 through § 45a-684.

Step 1: Identify Your Probate District

Connecticut has 54 probate districts, and you must file in the district where the young adult permanently resides, is domiciled, or is physically located. Find the correct district at ctprobate.gov — each municipality maps to a specific probate court.

Step 2: Prepare and File Form PC-700

The petition is officially titled "Application/Guardianship of Person with Intellectual Disability." You'll provide:

• The respondent's name, address, date of birth, and disability status
• The proposed guardian's name and relationship to the respondent
• The specific powers you're requesting (limited or plenary)
• Whether you're also requesting financial management authority

Filing window: you can file up to 180 days before the young adult's eighteenth birthday. The hearing cannot take place until after the birthday.

Filing fee: $250, payable to the probate court. The fee-waiver asset threshold is tied to the Title XIX Medicaid limit, currently $1,600. If the petitioner qualifies under the applicable financial rules, file Form PC-184. A party other than the petitioner uses Form PC-184A.

If the young adult's assets are under $10,000 and you want authority to manage their personal funds, file Form PC-7007 (Petition for Authority to Manage Finances of a Protected Person) at the same time. Assets above $10,000 require a separate conservatorship of the estate petition.

Step 3: Serve Notice

Due process requires personal service on the respondent at least ten days before the hearing. A state marshal, constable, or indifferent person must hand-deliver the petition and notice of hearing.

Written notice must also go to the respondent's spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, and any attorney of record — again at least ten days before the hearing date. The cost of state marshal service varies by district.

Step 4: The DDS Evaluation

This is where guardianship differs from conservatorship. You don't submit your own medical reports. Instead, the probate court directs the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the respondent.

A DDS professional or assessment team examines the individual and submits their findings on Form PC-770A within 45 days of the court's request. The evaluation covers cognitive functioning, adaptive behavior, current support needs, and the evaluator's recommendation about what level of guardianship authority is appropriate.

The DDS evaluation is free — the state covers the cost as part of its assessment mandate.

Step 5: Court-Appointed Attorney

The probate court appoints an independent attorney to represent the respondent. This is mandatory in all involuntary proceedings. The appointed attorney advocates for the respondent's expressed wishes and preferences, even if those preferences conflict with what the family recommends.

If the respondent cannot communicate their preferences, the court may also appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) to investigate and recommend what's in the respondent's best interests.

If the respondent is indigent, the Probate Court Administration Fund covers the cost of appointed counsel.

Step 6: The Hearing

The probate judge conducts a formal hearing. The petitioner presents the DDS evaluation, explains why less restrictive alternatives (supported decision making, powers of attorney, health care representative designations) are insufficient, and identifies the specific domains where the respondent needs a guardian.

The court-appointed attorney presents the respondent's position. The respondent has the right to be present and to testify.

The judge must find by clear and convincing evidence that:

1. The respondent is incapable of managing their affairs or caring for themselves
2. The proposed guardianship is the least restrictive means of intervention available
3. Informal supports cannot adequately meet the respondent's needs

How Long Does It Take?

The exact time from filing to hearing varies by district and case. The key timing points are:

• DDS evaluation: due within 45 days of the court's request
• Service and hearing scheduling: follow the probate court's instructions and the applicable notice period

If you file 180 days before the eighteenth birthday, you have ample room for the DDS evaluation cycle. Families who file closer to the birthday may face a gap where the young adult has turned eighteen but the guardianship isn't yet in place — during which they have full legal autonomy.

After the Judge Rules

If the court grants the petition, your obligations start immediately:

• Within 60 days: file a detailed inventory of all assets (Form PC-440) if you have financial management authority
• Annually: submit a well-being report (Form PC-771) on the protected person's health, living arrangements, and programs
• Every three years: the court reviews the guardianship to determine whether it should continue, be modified, or terminated

If a conservator of the estate is appointed, a probate bond (Form PC-480) is required unless all interested parties sign a waiver or the estate is under $10,000.

Common Mistakes That Delay the Process

Filing in the wrong district can delay the process. Confirm the respondent's legal residence before filing.

Requesting plenary when limited would suffice invites pushback from the court-appointed attorney and may result in a contested hearing. Start with limited powers in specific domains — you can always petition for broader authority later if needs change.

Waiting until after the eighteenth birthday to start the process creates a coverage gap. Begin the capacity assessment conversation at least eight months before the birthday.

The Connecticut Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes the complete filing checklist for both guardianship and conservatorship tracks, a step-by-step walkthrough of the DDS evaluation, and templates for organizing the evidence the probate court needs to see.

See more Connecticut guides →