Iowa Guardianship Forms: Every Document You Need to File
The Forms You'll Need (and the Order They're Filed)
Iowa adult guardianship runs through the District Court sitting in probate, and since November 10, 2025, the Iowa Supreme Court has mandated that all guardians use the standardized Chapter 7 forms — no county-specific alternatives. That actually simplifies things: the same forms work in Polk County and Pottawattamie County alike.
Here's the complete sequence.
Filing Stage: The Petition
Petition to Appoint Guardian or Conservator for an Adult — Filed under Iowa Code § 633.556, this is the document that starts the process. It must be verified (signed under oath) and must include:
- A factual description of why the individual lacks decision-making capacity
- An explicit explanation of why less restrictive alternatives (powers of attorney, supported decision-making, representative payee) won't work
- Names and addresses of close family members, current caregivers, and any existing agents under a power of attorney
- If a conservatorship is also sought, an estimate of the individual's assets and income
The petition form is available through the Iowa Judicial Branch court forms portal at iowacourts.gov and from local clerk of court offices. The filing fee is $215 as of July 1, 2026 (set by House File 2770).
Background Check Information for a Proposed Guardian (Rule 7.11, Form 2) — Every proposed guardian must submit identifying information for searches of Iowa's criminal record registry, child abuse registry, dependent adult abuse registry, and sex offender registry. The search fee is $15, paid by the petitioner.
After Appointment: Mandatory Plans and Reports
These are the forms most families don't know about until they're due — and missing a deadline can result in court sanctions or removal.
Guardian's Initial Care Plan (Rule 7.11, Form 3) — Due within 60 days of appointment. This details:
- Where the protected person lives and why that placement was chosen
- Health care needs and providers
- Financial sources (SSI, waivers, employment)
- Social integration plans and community participation goals
Conservator's Initial Financial Plan (Rule 7.12, Form 5) — Due within 90 days if a conservatorship was also established. Must include a monthly and annual budget covering income, expenses, and planned expenditures.
Inventory of Assets (Rule 7.12, Form 6) — Also due within 90 days for conservators. Requires a verified oath that the inventory is complete. Everything counts: bank accounts, vehicles, personal property, any real estate the protected person holds.
Guardian's Annual Report (Rule 7.11, Form 4) — Due every year within 60 days of the close of each reporting period. This is the court's check-in: the guardian details changes in the protected person's living situation, health, social contacts, and any concerns.
Conservator's Annual Report and Accounting (Rule 7.12, Form 7) — Annual accounting of every dollar received and spent. Iowa courts review these carefully. Unexplained expenditures or missing funds will trigger an investigation.
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Where to Get the Forms
All mandatory forms are available from the Iowa Court Forms portal on iowacourts.gov. The Iowa State Bar Association's IowaDocs database also maintains them. Local clerk of court offices can provide paper copies.
Two things to know about sourcing:
- Only use the official Chapter 7/8 forms. Since the November 2025 Supreme Court order (signed by Chief Justice Christensen), non-standard forms are rejected. Don't use a template from a legal document website or a form from an outdated guardianship guide.
- County clerks cannot help you fill them out. Under Iowa law, advising you on which boxes to check or how to draft the petition's factual basis crosses into the unauthorized practice of law. The clerks can tell you where to file, what fees are owed, and whether your documents are complete — not whether your case has merit.
What the Process Server Handles
After filing, the petition and a formal summons must be personally served on the respondent (the person you're seeking guardianship over) under Iowa's Rules of Civil Procedure. Notice also goes to all interested parties listed in the petition — parents, spouses, adult children, and existing agents. Sheriff or private process server fees typically run $80 to $120.
The Guardian's Oath and Bond
Once the court grants the appointment, the guardian files a Court Officer's Oath. If a conservatorship was also established, the conservator must post a surety bond equal to the total value of the protected person's personal property plus their gross annual income. The court can waive the bond if a bank or trust company with Iowa trust powers is appointed instead.
Before You File
Guardianship is a serious legal proceeding that removes constitutional rights from another person. Iowa Code § 633.551(4) requires the court to consider whether less restrictive alternatives could meet the individual's needs — and if you haven't explored those alternatives, your petition is more likely to be denied or narrowed.
The Iowa Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide covers the full hierarchy of decision-making supports, from supported decision-making and powers of attorney through limited and full guardianship, with worksheets to evaluate which tools actually match your family member's needs before committing to a court process.
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