State guide
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania adult guardianship petitions are handled in the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania uses statewide Orphans’ Court guardianship forms and also publishes statewide guidance on alternatives to guardianship, including supported decision-making even though it does not have a specific SDM statute.
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 are handled in the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas.
- What it's called
- guardian of the person and guardian of the estate
- Official forms and self-help
- Official page →
- Filing fee
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
- Less-restrictive alternatives
- Pennsylvania’s judiciary lists supported decision-making, powers of attorney, advance directives, trusts, health care representatives, representative payees, and limited guardianship as less restrictive alternatives; it also says Pennsylvania has no statute specifically recognizing enforceability of a written SDM agreement.
- Law
- 20 Pa.C.S. Chapter 55, including 20 Pa.C.S. § 5512.1.
Official resources in Pennsylvania
Official statewide guardianship forms page for petitions, reports, inventories, and expert reports.
State judiciary overview page with training resources and guardianship information.
Official judiciary page describing less restrictive alternatives, including supported decision-making, powers of attorney, advance directives, and limited guardianship.
Largest-county office page with Orphans' Court contact information for Philadelphia.
Large-county official page with state guardianship forms links, fee schedules, and guardianship-related filing information.
Key facts for Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania statewide forms include OC 03 for guardianship of an incapacitated person and G-06 expert report.
- Pennsylvania uses the terms guardian of the person and guardian of the estate.
- Pennsylvania’s judiciary says the state does not currently have a statute specifically recognizing enforceability of a written supported decision-making agreement.
- Pennsylvania law requires courts to consider limited guardianship over plenary guardianship when possible.
- Montgomery County’s 2026 Orphans’ Court fee bill lists “Petitions (all, including Guardianships)” at $100.00.
- Allegheny County’s Orphans’ Court guardianship department processes appointments for minors and incapacitated individuals.
County court guardianship pages in Pennsylvania
| Court | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Orphans' Court Philadelphia | Philadelphia | (215) 686-2230 | Largest-county Orphans' Court contact for Philadelphia guardianship and other Orphans' Court matters. |
| Philadelphia Register of Wills Philadelphia | Philadelphia | (215) 686-6250 | Philadelphia Register of Wills office with related probate and Orphans' Court contact information. |
| Allegheny County Orphans’ Court Allegheny | Pittsburgh | 412.350.5550 | Large-county Orphans’ Court page explaining guardianship, audit, adoption, and civil commitment departments. |
| Montgomery County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court Montgomery | Norristown | Not published* | Large-county office page with guardianship forms links, e-filing information, and fee schedules. |
| Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania - Orphans' Court Forms | Not published* | Not published* | Statewide official forms page for incapacitated-person guardianship petitions, inventories, reports, and notices. |
| Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania - Alternatives to Guardianship | Not published* | Not published* | State judiciary page describing supported decision-making and other less restrictive options. |
| Philadelphia Manual for Guardians of Incapacitated Persons Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Not published* | Official First Judicial District guardianship manual for guardians of the person, estate, or both. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Use the statewide Orphans’ Court forms first, then check your county Orphans’ Court office for local filing and scheduling procedures.
- Review Pennsylvania’s alternatives-to-guardianship page before filing, especially if limited guardianship or existing supports may meet the need.
- Call your county Orphans’ Court clerk to confirm current county fees, because published charges can vary by county and filing type.
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 Pennsylvania's population center, for comparison only):
- Baltimore County Access to Justice Resource Center, Maryland · about 73 miles
- Court of Chancery - New Castle County, Delaware · about 91 miles
- Maryland Court Help Center, Maryland · about 92 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania - Alternatives to Guardianship
Website →Phone: (800) 772-1213 (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 Pennsylvania page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.