How to Write a Kansas Guardianship Plan

Under the KUGCOPAA reforms that took effect January 1, 2026, every Kansas guardianship petition must include an individualized Guardianship Plan. Courts reject petitions that arrive without one. If you have been assuming you could file a petition and figure out the details later, the new law closed that door.

What the Guardianship Plan Is

The Guardianship Plan is a detailed, court-approved document that limits and defines the guardian's authority. Instead of granting a guardian blanket control over someone's life, the plan specifies exactly which decisions the guardian handles — and everything not listed stays with the individual.

The plan must cover:

• Specific decision areas where the individual needs support (medical, financial, residential, educational)
• How the guardian will support autonomy — concrete steps to involve the individual in their own decisions to the maximum extent possible
• Social and family connections — how the guardian will maintain the person's existing relationships, community ties, and daily routines
• Care and financial needs — the practical arrangements for housing, healthcare, daily living, and any asset management
• Duration and review — the plan operates on an annual cycle, and guardians file updated reports each year

Where to Get the Form

The Kansas Judicial Council publishes the official Guardianship Plan form on their website under Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Other Protective Arrangements. Use the adult-specific version (K.S.A. 59-30,156 for guardianship, K.S.A. 59-30,180 for conservatorship). The Judicial Council updates these forms periodically to match statutory changes — always download a fresh copy rather than reusing one from a previous filing.

If you are also seeking a conservatorship (control over financial matters), you need a separate Conservatorship Plan. The two plans address different domains and are reviewed independently.

Drafting Tips That Prevent Court Rejections

Be specific, not general. "Guardian will manage healthcare" is not sufficient. The court wants to see which healthcare decisions you are requesting authority over: medication management, selecting providers, consenting to procedures, scheduling appointments. If the individual can handle some medical decisions independently — say, choosing a dentist or filling prescriptions — leave those out of the plan.

Document why alternatives failed. Under KUGCOPAA, the court must find that no less-restrictive option covers the areas you are requesting. Your plan should reference what you tried: a supported decision-making agreement that providers refused to honor, a power of attorney the individual could not execute due to capacity, or a representative payee that only covers SSI but not other financial needs.

Use the substituted judgment standard. The plan must demonstrate that you will make decisions aligned with the individual's own wishes, values, and beliefs — not what you think is best. If you know their preferences on where to live, which doctors they trust, or how they want to spend their time, document those preferences in the plan.

Build in autonomy supports. Courts look favorably on plans that include concrete mechanisms for the individual's participation: attending their own medical appointments, being consulted on housing changes, receiving explanations of financial decisions in accessible language.

What Happens After the Court Approves It

Once approved, the Guardianship Plan becomes a binding document. The guardian must follow it. Any interested party — including the individual, family members, or advocates — can file a grievance with the District Court if they believe the guardian is deviating from the plan or restricting rights beyond what the court authorized.

Guardians file annual reports (Report of the Guardian of the Child or Adult Subject to Guardianship with Annual Financial Report) that the court reviews against the original plan. For significant changes — like moving the individual to a new residence or changing their healthcare providers — check the court order and local procedure to see whether an amended plan or court approval is required before acting.

Getting Help With the Plan

Writing a defensible Guardianship Plan is the most consequential part of the new Kansas process. The Kansas Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes a step-by-step breakdown of each plan section, examples of language courts accept, and a preparation checklist that maps your family's specific situation to the plan requirements.

See more Kansas guides →