Maricopa County Guardianship Forms

Where to File

Adult guardianship petitions in Maricopa County go to the Superior Court's Probate Division at the Central Court Complex, 201 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. The Probate Desk phone is (602) 506-3668.

You file in Maricopa County if the proposed ward — the person you're seeking guardianship over — resides in the county. This is residency-based, not based on where the petitioner lives. If your adult child lives in a group home in Mesa but you live in Prescott, you file in Maricopa.

Required Forms Packet

Maricopa County uses the standard Arizona Supreme Court AOC forms, plus county-specific administrative documents:

• Probate Cover Sheet (pb10f) — routing form that tells the court what type of case you're filing
• Probate Information Form (pb12f) — identifies all interested parties who must receive notice of the hearing
• Petition for Appointment of Guardian and/or Conservator (AOCPBGCA11F) — the substantive petition
• Health Professional's Report (AOCPBGCA15F) — medical evaluation by a licensed physician, psychologist, or registered nurse detailing the proposed ward's specific cognitive and functional limitations

The Health Professional's Report is the most common bottleneck. It must describe concrete limitations — not just list a diagnosis. "The patient cannot independently manage medications, is unable to evaluate the safety of their living arrangements, and requires prompting for basic hygiene tasks" provides the kind of functional detail the report requires.

Filing Fees

After Administrative Order 2024-210 (18% statewide increase effective December 28, 2024), Maricopa County's guardianship filing costs break down roughly as:

Post-judgment filing fees (for modifications, terminations, or annual conservatorship accountings) run $87–$102 per filing.

If the proposed ward qualifies for a fee waiver based on income, you can request deferral at filing. The waiver application is available at the Clerk's office or through the Law Library Resource Center.

Paper vs. Digital Filing

Maricopa County has implemented a hybrid filing system. Initial petitions and original documents must be filed on paper — you walk them into the courthouse. Subsequent filings (modifications, annual reports, accountings) have moved to a digital submission system.

This catches families off guard when they file their first annual guardianship report — they show up at the courthouse with paper copies and are directed to the e-filing portal.

The Law Library Resource Center

The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center provides free access to all required guardianship forms, both online and in-person. Staff can help you identify which forms you need, but they cannot provide legal advice or help you fill them out.

If you're filing without an attorney, this is your starting point. The forms are identical to the AOC forms available on the Arizona Supreme Court website — the Resource Center just packages them into a county-specific checklist so you don't miss anything.

What Happens After Filing

Once you file, Maricopa County's Probate Division triggers two automatic appointments: an independent attorney to represent the proposed ward, and a court investigator who will visit the proposed ward's residence, interview all parties, and submit a written report to the judge. The $400 investigator fee covers this process.

The proposed ward must be personally served with the petition and hearing notice at least 14 calendar days before the court date. All other interested parties — parents, adult siblings, current agents, and persons or agencies providing care or benefits — must be mailed or served copies in the same window.

The process from filing to hearing depends on the court's calendar, service, and how quickly the investigator completes their report.

Before filing, make sure you've documented which alternatives to guardianship you've explored. The court requires this under A.R.S. § 14-5304, and Maricopa County judges take the least-restrictive-alternative mandate seriously. The Arizona Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide walks through each alternative with decision worksheets that satisfy this requirement.

See more Arizona guides →