Kansas Guardianship Cost: Filing Fees, Attorney Costs, and Hidden Expenses

The Filing Fee

The initial docket fee is the smallest piece of the total cost. It varies by county:

• Shawnee County (Topeka): $91.50 — the statutory docket fee of $69.50 plus a $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104
• Sedgwick County (Wichita): $132
• Johnson County (Olathe/Overland Park): $195

If you can't afford the filing fee, you can file a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104(b) (or an in forma pauperis application under K.S.A. 60-2001(b)) at the time of filing. The clerk reviews your financial information and can defer or waive the fee. Kansas Legal Services provides free interactive fee waiver forms that help you prepare the application.

Court-Appointed Attorney Fees

When a guardianship petition is filed, the court must appoint an attorney to represent the respondent (the person who may be placed under guardianship). This is mandatory under the 2026 KUGCOPAA — it happens regardless of whether anyone asked for it.

The appointed attorney's fees become part of the case costs. How they're assessed:

• Shawnee County: $500 standard appointment rate under local rule DCR 3.117 (covers up to four hours of work)
• Johnson County: Variable — assessed against the estate or public funds based on case complexity
• Sedgwick County: Determined post-hearing as hourly rates or flat fees, taxed as court costs against the petitioner or estate

For contested cases — where the respondent or their attorney opposes the guardianship — fees can be significantly higher, as the attorney may need to conduct independent investigation, interview witnesses, and prepare for a contested hearing.

Clinical Evaluation

The court requires a "Confidential Certificate of Treating Physician" — a detailed clinical evaluation documenting the respondent's specific cognitive or functional impairments and why less-restrictive alternatives are insufficient. This must come from a physician who has actually examined the individual.

The cost depends on whether the individual's existing doctor can complete the evaluation or whether a separate specialist visit is needed. The available research does not establish a statewide fee for this evaluation, so confirm the charge with the physician and insurer before scheduling.

Your Own Attorney (Optional but Common)

Kansas allows self-represented petitioners — you can file a guardianship case without hiring your own lawyer. The court forms are designed for pro se use, and the clerk's office can answer procedural questions.

That said, many families hire an attorney, especially if:

• The case is likely to be contested by another family member
• The respondent's attorney is expected to oppose the guardianship
• The estate is complex enough to warrant conservatorship
• The family is unfamiliar with court procedures

Private guardianship attorneys in Kansas typically charge $250 to $400 per hour. Standard guardianship cases are reported at $5,000 to $7,500 or more for represented proceedings, though straightforward cases can be less and contested cases can be significantly more.

Ongoing Costs After Appointment

Guardianship doesn't end with the court order. Annual costs include:

• Annual report filing: The guardian must file the "Report of the Guardian of the Child or Adult Subject to Guardianship with Annual Financial Report" each year. Additional costs, including attorney assistance preparing it, may apply.
• Conservator bond premium: If a conservatorship is granted, the conservator must post an adequate fiduciary bond. The bond amount is generally based on the estate and one year's estimated income, less certain protected values; the court may waive it only if a bond or alternative is not necessary to protect the individual. Any premium depends on the bond and surety.
• Modification or termination fees: Any change to the guardianship — expanding it, narrowing it, or terminating it — requires a formal petition and judicial order; a hearing may also be required.

Over a lifetime of guardianship for a young adult, these recurring costs add up to far more than the initial filing.

The Total Picture

For a typical uncontested guardianship petition in Kansas:

Filing pro se dramatically reduces costs, but the Guardianship Plan requirement under the 2026 law is where most self-represented petitioners struggle. The plan must include detailed, narrative descriptions of how the guardian will support the individual's autonomy under the substituted judgment standard — courts reject boilerplate, and a plan that needs revision can mean delays and potentially more filings.

Lower-Cost Alternatives

Before committing to these costs, evaluate whether non-court alternatives would cover the individual's needs:

• Supported Decision-Making Agreement: No court filing fee; no attorney required
• Durable Power of Attorney: Notarization or other execution costs may apply
• Healthcare Power of Attorney: Notarization or two witnesses — minimal cost
• Representative Payee: Free administrative application through the SSA

For many families, a combination of these tools covers every area where the individual needs support. The court cannot grant a guardianship if these alternatives would suffice.

The Kansas Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide provides the complete assessment framework and execution steps for both paths — so you spend your resources on the approach that actually fits your family's situation.

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