State guide
New York
New York adult guardianship of an incapacitated person is usually an Article 81 case in Supreme Court or County Court. New York uses functional, least-restrictive guardianship terms focused on personal needs and property management, and it now also has an Article 82 supported decision-making law.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Court that handles adult guardianship
- Adult guardianship petitions for an incapacitated person are generally filed in Supreme Court or County Court under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law.
- What it's called
- guardian for personal needs and/or property management
- Official forms and self-help
- Official page →
- Filing fee
- $210.00 Application for Index Number; $95.00 Request for Judicial Intervention
- Less-restrictive alternatives
- Yes. New York has a supported decision-making law in Mental Hygiene Law Article 82, and court guidance also lists powers of attorney, health care proxies, FHCDA surrogates, technology, and limited/single-purpose guardianship as less restrictive alternatives.
- Law
- N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law Article 81; N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law Article 82
Official resources in New York
Statewide court help page explaining where Article 81 cases are heard and what they cover.
Official self-help page describing the petition, order to show cause, service, and filing process.
Official court page listing less restrictive alternatives, including health care proxies, powers of attorney, and other supports.
Official statute page for New York’s supported decision-making law.
County Supreme Court page with Article 81 sample forms, reports, and local contact information.
Key facts for New York
- Article 81 guardianship cases are heard in Supreme Court or County Court.
- New York uses personal needs powers and property management powers rather than separate guardian and conservator titles.
- To start an Article 81 case, the petitioner files a petition, order to show cause, and request for judicial intervention.
- A guardian’s powers must be the least restrictive form of intervention.
- New York has Mental Hygiene Law Article 82 for supported decision-making.
- A published Supreme Court fee page lists $210.00 for an index number and $95.00 for a request for judicial intervention in Article 81 proceedings.
County court guardianship pages in New York
| Court | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings County Supreme Court Guardian Assistance Office Kings | Brooklyn | 347-296-1948 | Helps family and friend Article 81 guardians with training, practical advice, and support. |
| Kings County Supreme Court Elder Law - Guardianship Office Kings | Brooklyn | 347-296-1757 | County Supreme Court guardianship office with Article 81 FAQs and filing information. |
| Queens County Supreme Court Guardianship Office Queens | Jamaica | 718-298-1040 | County Supreme Court guardianship office for forms, reports, questions, commissions, and filings. |
| New York County Supreme Court Guardianship and Fiduciary Support Office New York | New York | 646-386-3328 | Handles guardianship support functions and local forms/resources in Manhattan. |
| Nassau County Guardianship Department Nassau | Mineola | 516-493-3121 | County Supreme Court guardianship department with forms, reports, and local Article 81 guidance. |
| Bronx County Supreme Court Guardianship Department Bronx | Bronx | (718) 618-1330 | Metropolitan area guardianship office listed for forms, questions, and filing reports. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Before filing, review the Alternatives to Guardianship page because New York requires exploring less restrictive options first.
- Call the local Supreme Court guardianship office for county forms, report formats, and filing practices.
- If you are seeking only a narrow power, ask whether a limited or single-purpose guardianship would fit the need.
Not seeing your court or county?
Not every court publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from New York's population center, for comparison only):
- Bergen County Surrogate’s Court, New Jersey · about 51 miles
- Middlesex County Surrogate Court, New Jersey · about 70 miles
- Office of the Surrogate, New Jersey · about 70 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.NY Courts: Alternatives to Guardianship
Website →Phone: (800) 342-3661 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the New York page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.