About Petition for Guardianship
To petition the Chancery Probate Court for appointment as guardian of a minor child's person and/or estate.
When you'd use it: When a person seeks legal guardianship over a minor child or the child's property due to parental absence, incapacity, or other circumstances requiring court-appointed guardianship.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Petition for Guardianship is published as a PDF by the Tennessee courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Verified official PDF
Download Petition for Guardianship (PDF) →
Source: sumnerchancerycourt.com
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Petition for Guardianship in Tennessee
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Petition for Guardianship when when a person seeks legal guardianship over a minor child or the child's property due to parental absence, incapacity, or other circumstances requiring court-appointed guardianship. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Tennessee probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Petition for Guardianship carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Petition for Guardianship to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Tennessee county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).