Wisconsin Guardianship Forms: Every Form You Need to File

You've decided to pursue guardianship for your adult child in Wisconsin, and now you're staring at a list of form numbers that reads like an encrypted message. The Wisconsin court system requires specific, unmodified state forms — altering the pre-printed language on any of them can make your filing invalid. Here's every form you'll need, in the order you'll need them.

Before the Hearing: Filing Forms

GN-3100 — Petition for Temporary/Permanent Guardianship Due to Incompetency This is the primary filing. You submit it to the Register in Probate office in the county where the proposed ward lives. It establishes who you are, who the proposed ward is, why you believe guardianship is necessary, and what type you're requesting (person, estate, or both).

GN-3130 — Examining Physician's or Psychologist's Report A licensed physician or psychologist must conduct a personal examination of your adult child within one year of the filing date, then complete this form. It must be filed with the court at least 96 hours before the hearing. Without it, the hearing will be postponed.

GN-3135 — Confirmation of Completion of Guardian Training Program Under Act 97 (effective January 2023), every proposed permanent guardian must complete the free online training at UW-Green Bay before the final hearing. Once you finish the course, you file this confirmation form at least 96 hours before the hearing date. The court cannot appoint you without it.

GN-3140 — Statement of Acts by Proposed Guardian and Consent to Serve This form discloses your background — criminal history, relationship to the ward, any prior guardianship experience — and formally states your willingness to serve. Also due at least 96 hours before the hearing.

GN-3120 and GN-3121 — Declaration of Service / Certificate of Service on Individual After the petition is filed, the proposed ward must be personally served with the petition and hearing notice at least 10 days before the hearing. A process server or deputy sheriff handles this — you cannot serve the papers yourself. These forms prove that service happened.

Court-Issued Forms

GF-131A — Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem or Attorney The court uses this order to appoint the Guardian ad Litem or an attorney for the proposed ward; the court completes the appointment information.

GN-3110 — Order and Notice of Hearing The court issues this after you file the petition. It sets the hearing date and must be served on the proposed ward and all interested parties.

GN-3160 — Report of Guardian ad Litem The court appoints a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) — an independent attorney who represents the proposed ward's best interests. The GAL files this report with their findings and recommendation.

GN-3170 — Determination and Order on Petition for Guardianship This is the judge's decision. If the petition is granted, this order specifies the exact scope of your authority — which powers you hold and which rights the ward retains.

GN-3200 / GN-3210 — Letters of Guardianship GN-3200 covers guardianship of the person. GN-3210 covers guardianship of the estate. These are the certified documents you'll show to hospitals, banks, schools, and other institutions as proof of your legal authority.

Post-Appointment Filings

GN-3440 — Guardianship or Conservatorship Inventory If you're guardian of the estate, you must file a complete inventory of the ward's assets within 60 days of appointment. Estates valued at $50,000 or less pay a $20 filing fee; estates over $50,000 pay 0.2% of the net asset value under § 814.66.

GN-3450 — Statement of Ward's Real Property If your ward owns real property, you must record this statement with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located.

GN-3190 — Signature Bond The court may require you to post a bond as security to protect the ward's assets. For larger estates, a surety bond with an annual premium (typically 0.5% of the estate value) may be required.

GN-3480 — Annual Report on the Condition of the Ward Due by April 15 each year for guardians of the person. Describes the ward's living situation, health, activities, and any changes since the last report.

GN-3500 — Account of Guardian or Conservator Due by April 15 each year for guardians of the estate. Details every dollar that came in and went out during the reporting period.

Where to Get the Forms

All guardianship forms are available on the Wisconsin Court System website at wicourts.gov under Circuit Court Forms, Category 17 (Guardianship). Download the current versions directly — don't use outdated copies from third-party sites.

Some counties have local rules that add requirements. Waukesha County, for example, requires all documents to be filed in duplicate. Check with your county's Register in Probate office before filing.

Putting It All Together

The form sequence has a clear timeline: file the petition (GN-3100) and supporting documents, get the hearing scheduled, ensure the medical report (GN-3130), training confirmation (GN-3135), and consent form (GN-3140) are all filed at least 96 hours before the hearing, and serve all parties at least 10 days out.

The Wisconsin Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes the complete filing sequence with county-specific fee schedules, along with guidance on whether guardianship is actually the right path — or whether a combination of powers of attorney and supported decision-making agreements could achieve the same protection with fewer ongoing obligations.

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