Court Services - Guardianship

Guardianships are filed for both minors and incapacitated persons. However, all Guardianship matters in the State of Florida require an attorney (Florida Probate Rule 5.030). An individual, through their attorney, files for a guardian to be appointed for an adult person when they believe that person is not mentally or physically capable of taking care of himself/herself. A committee is appointed to evaluate the person and make their report to the court. In some instances, the adult person may be only physically unable to care for himself/herself and may need a guardian. Guardians can be appointed as guardian of the person only, property only or person and property.

Guardianships are also filed for minors when the minor child has inherited money or property in excess of $15,000 from a deceased person, or received money from a settlement in excess of $15,000. In this case a guardian of the property is all that is needed if the minor child's parents are living. If a minor child's parents are deceased or unable to be appointed guardian, he/she may need a guardian of the person and property.

Contact Information

Probate / Mental Health / Guardianship

Telephone: (850) 595-4300
OFFICE LOCATION One Stop Room 13001 - First Floor 190 Governmental Center Pensacola, Florida  32502 (map)	MAILING ADDRESS Clerk of the Circuit Court Probate Division P.O. Box 333 Pensacola, Florida  32591-0333

Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the State Statutes.

Forms

NOTICE
Please read the instructions for the forms that your are downloading.
Additional forms may be needed depending on your situation.

• Guardianship Forms and Informational Resources

  • Guardianship Basics - Department of Elder Affairs

• Standard Forms

  • Fee Schedule

NOTE: The forms supplied by the Clerk's office are general in nature and may not meet your specific needs. The Clerk does not guarantee the legal sufficiency of these forms; therefore, you may need to consult with an attorney regarding your particular situation.

Related Resources

• Guardianship Resources

  • Florida State Courts - Guardianship
  • Florida Statutes - Chapter 393.12 - DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Capacity; appointment of guardian advocate
  • Florida Statutes - Chapter 744 - GUARDIANSHIP
  • Guardianship Basics - Department of Elder Affairs
  • National Guardianship Association

• State and Local Law Resources

  • City of Pensacola Code of Ordinances
  • Escambia County Code of Ordinances
  • Laws of Florida
  • State Constitution
  • State Statutes

• Judicial Resources

  • First District Court of Appeals
  • First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
  • First Judicial Circuit Judges
  • Florida State Courts
  • Public Defender's Office - First Judicial Circuit
  • Rules Of Procedure
  • State Attorney's Office - First Judicial Circuit

• Attorney Resources

  • Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association
  • Florida Bar
  • Florida Bar - Consumer Information
  • Florida Bar - Lawyer Referral Service
  • Florida Law Online
  • Legal Services of North Florida

NOTE: Most of the "Related Resource" links above are not maintained by the Clerk.