Nevada Guardianship Filing Fee: Court Costs and Attorney Fees Explained

Court Filing Fees

The filing fee for adult guardianship of the person in Nevada is lower than most families expect:

• Clark County (Eighth Judicial District Court): $0 for guardianship of the person.
• Washoe County (Second Judicial District Court): $0 for guardianship of the person.
• Guardianship of the estate: $0 if the estate's assets are $2,500 or less. A $5 filing fee applies if assets exceed $2,500.
• Larger estates in probate: Tiered fees starting at $286 for estates handled through the probate division rather than family court.

Clark County uses electronic filing (e-filing), which adds a $3.50 upload fee per document. That's a minor cost, but it adds up across the multiple documents in a guardianship packet.

Certified copies of Letters of Guardianship (which you'll need for banks, hospitals, and schools) cost $3.00 each after the initial issuance. First-time letters carry no fee.

Fee Waivers

If your family cannot afford the court-related costs, you can file a Fee Waiver (In Forma Pauperis) application. This covers the e-filing fees, service of process costs, and any other court-imposed charges. The application requires you to demonstrate financial hardship, typically through income documentation.

Attorney Fees: The Real Cost

The court filing fee is negligible. The real expense is legal representation — and this is where guardianship costs become significant:

Uncontested guardianship: When all family members agree on the arrangement and the proposed protected person doesn't object, attorney fees in Nevada typically range from $3,000 to $5,000. This covers drafting the petition, preparing the physician's certificate, handling service of process, and attending the hearing.

Contested guardianship: If a family member objects, if the proposed protected person opposes the petition, or if there's a dispute over who should serve as guardian, the case shifts into litigation territory. Contested proceedings can quickly exceed $15,000 in attorney fees — and the process takes significantly longer.

These fees do not include continuing costs. Once appointed, a guardian of the person must file annual reports, while a guardian of the estate must file detailed financial accountings. If you hire an attorney to prepare these filings, expect additional costs each year.

The Court-Appointed Attorney

Under NRS 159.0485, the court appoints legal counsel for the proposed protected person unless they've already retained their own attorney. This court-appointed attorney acts as a zealous advocate for your child's expressed wishes — not what you believe is in their best interest.

If the proposed protected person has financial assets, the court-appointed attorney's fees come from the estate. If they're indigent, the county's indigent legal services program covers the costs. Either way, this isn't a cost the petitioning family pays directly.

Ongoing Costs After Appointment

Guardianship isn't a one-time expense. Annual obligations include:

• Annual report preparation — Can be done yourself (the court provides forms) or by an attorney ($500–$1,500 depending on complexity).
• Bond premiums — The court may require a surety bond for guardians of the estate, with annual premiums based on the estate's value.
• Estate accounting — Guardians of the estate must account for every dollar. Professional preparation of the annual accounting adds cost if you don't handle it yourself.

What the Alternatives Cost

The cost comparison makes alternatives worth serious consideration:

• Supported decision-making agreement: $0. No attorney required, no court involvement, no filing fees.
• Durable power of attorney: $0 to $200 for notarization. Some families use an attorney for drafting ($200–$500), but the statutory forms are designed for self-execution.
• Educational representative designation: $0. Administrative application to the school district.
• Representative payee (SSI): $0. Application through the Social Security Administration.

For many families, a combination of these alternatives accomplishes everything guardianship would — at a fraction of the cost and without annual reporting to the court.

Our Nevada Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide helps you evaluate whether guardianship is worth the investment for your family's specific situation, with step-by-step instructions for every option from the free alternatives through the full court process.

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