Pennsylvania Guardianship Forms G-01 and G-06 Explained

If you're preparing to petition for guardianship of an adult with a disability in Pennsylvania, the Orphans' Court forms can feel like navigating a foreign bureaucracy. The two critical documents in the process — the former G-01 citation with notice and Form G-06 (Expert Report) — changed substantially after Act 61 of 2023 took effect, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania rescinded and replaced G-01 entirely in December 2024.

Here's what each form does and how to use them correctly.

Form G-06: The Expert Report

The G-06 is the clinical foundation of any guardianship petition. A licensed physician or psychologist must complete this form after evaluating the alleged incapacitated person's cognitive, physical, and adaptive functioning. The evaluation covers the individual's capacity to make decisions about healthcare, finances, and daily living.

Three requirements trip up families most often. The clinical evaluation must be conducted within six months of filing the petition — an assessment older than six months does not satisfy that filing requirement. The evaluator must address specific functional domains, not just provide a diagnosis. The petition, not merely the clinical report, must also address whether less restrictive alternatives (supported decision-making, powers of attorney, representative payee) could meet the individual's needs without court intervention.

The G-06 is available through the Unified Judicial System Forms Portal. Most evaluators charge between $500 and $2,000 for the assessment, depending on the complexity of the case and whether in-person testing is required.

Form G-01: Citation with Notice

The former G-01 was the formal notice served on the alleged incapacitated person (AIP) and adult presumptive heirs. The current replacement citation tells the AIP that someone has filed a guardianship petition and explains their legal rights.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania completely rescinded the old G-01 on December 18, 2024, replacing it with an updated, plain-language version designed to conform with Act 61 reforms. The new citation must be printed in large, easily readable text and must explain the AIP's right to independent legal counsel, their right to attend the hearing, and the potential consequences of a guardianship order.

The petitioner must serve the current citation on the AIP at least 20 days before the scheduled hearing. Written notice must also go to all adult presumptive heirs — parents, siblings, and adult children of the AIP.

Other Court Forms: G-02, G-03, and the GTS

The old paper forms G-02 (Report of the Guardian of the Estate) and G-03 (Report of the Guardian of the Person) were also rescinded in December 2024. These annual reports are now filed electronically through Pennsylvania's statewide Guardianship Tracking System (GTS).

Filing through the GTS has a practical advantage: it waives the standard county filing fees for annual reports, which range from $10 to $25 per paper filing depending on the county. The GTS also integrates data statewide, automatically flagging potential problems to protect vulnerable adults.

Where to Get the Current Forms

All current guardianship forms are available through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's forms portal. Before downloading any form from a third-party legal website, verify that it reflects the December 2024 rescissions — older versions may not reflect the current requirements.

If you're navigating the guardianship petition process and want a step-by-step breakdown of the entire workflow — from initial capacity assessment through post-appointment reporting — the Pennsylvania Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide walks through each phase with timelines, cost estimates, and the specific forms you'll need at each stage.

See more Pennsylvania guides →