KY estate risk
Guardianship risk in Kentucky
How courts appoint guardians for minors when no plan is in place.
Kentucky guardianship for minors is handled in District Court, which appoints a guardian to manage the minor’s care or property.
At a glance
Key takeaways
- A guardian is an individual or entity appointed by the District Court to have care, custody, and control of a minor.
- Interested persons include adult relatives, friends, or agencies concerned with the minor’s welfare.
- Kentucky recognizes limited guardians and conservators for different scopes of responsibility.
Questions to consider
Questions to consider in Kentucky
- What happens to minor children immediately after a death?
- How does the court choose a guardian?
- How long can the guardianship process take?
State overview
Kentucky guardianship for minors is handled in District Court, which appoints a guardian to manage the minor’s care or property.
- A guardian is an individual or entity appointed by the District Court to have care, custody, and control of a minor.
- Interested persons include adult relatives, friends, or agencies concerned with the minor’s welfare.
- Kentucky recognizes limited guardians and conservators for different scopes of responsibility.
Sources
Background sources
- Uniform Probate Code (2019) - Protection of persons under disability
Article V provides model guardianship and conservatorship rules.
- Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act (UGCOPAA)
Modern standards for guardianships and protective arrangements.
- Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (UAGPPJA)
Interstate jurisdiction and transfer rules for guardianships.
National sources provide baseline context; state statutes and court rules control in Kentucky.
Optional next steps
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