Pennsylvania Guardianship Forms: Orphans' Court Filing Guide

Filing for guardianship of an elderly parent in Pennsylvania means navigating the Orphans' Court system in the county where your parent resides. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has standardized the mandatory forms across all 67 counties, but knowing which form to file, when it's due, and where to submit it is where most families get lost.

The Mandatory Forms

Form G-01: Citation with Notice

This is the first form your parent sees. It must be personally served on the alleged incapacitated person at least 20 days before the guardianship hearing. Act 61 of 2023 strengthened the requirements — G-01 must be printed in large, readable type and explain in plain language:

• What the guardianship petition asks for
• That the court will appoint an attorney to represent your parent
• Your parent's right to be present at the hearing
• The potential consequences, including loss of civil rights

Service is typically handled by a private process server or the county sheriff. You cannot serve this form yourself if you're the petitioner.

Form G-06: Expert Report

A licensed physician or psychologist must complete this clinical evaluation documenting your parent's cognitive, physical, and functional limitations. The report is submitted to the court before or at the hearing and provides the medical evidence supporting incapacity.

Expect to pay $200 to $1,000+ for the clinical evaluation, depending on the provider and whether an in-person examination or existing medical records are used.

Form G-05: Guardian's Inventory

Due within 90 days of the guardian's appointment, this form establishes a financial baseline — all of the ward's assets, liabilities, income sources, and a proposed care plan. It functions as the court's snapshot of what the guardian is responsible for managing.

Form G-02: Annual Report of Guardian of the Estate

Filed every year on the anniversary of the court appointment, G-02 is a detailed financial accounting. It covers all income received, expenditures made, and changes in asset values during the reporting period. Every transaction must be documented.

Form G-03: Annual Report of Guardian of the Person

Also due annually, G-03 reports on the ward's medical condition, living arrangements, social activities, and whether the level of guardianship should be modified. The court uses this to verify the guardian is acting in the ward's best interest.

The Guardianship Tracking System (GTS)

Pennsylvania requires guardians to file annual reports electronically through the UJS Guardianship Tracking System (GTS), an online portal managed by the Unified Judicial System. The system:

• Sends automated reminders when annual reports are due
• Flags overdue filings for court review
• Allows electronic submission of G-02 and G-03
• Tracks the ward's financial inventory against reported transactions

New guardians must register for GTS access through the UJS Portal after receiving their appointment order. The system walks you through each section of the annual report, but the data entry is substantial — budget two to three hours for your first filing.

Filing Fees by County

Guardianship filing fees vary by county. Typical ranges:

• Petition filing fee: $80 to $165
• Annual report filing fee: $20 to $30 per report
• Service of citation: $50 to $150 (process server)

Philadelphia Orphans' Court charges approximately $30 per annual report filing. Fee waivers are available for indigent wards — you can request a waiver when filing the petition.

The Petition Itself

The petition for guardianship isn't one of the standardized G-forms — it's a county-specific document filed with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court. While the content requirements are governed by Title 20 Chapter 55, each county may have its own preferred format and local rules.

The petition must include:

• Your relationship to the alleged incapacitated person
• The specific powers you're requesting (guardian of the person, estate, or both)
• Evidence that less restrictive alternatives (power of attorney, representative payee, supported decision-making) have been considered and are insufficient
• A statement of the parent's cognitive and physical condition

Under Act 61, the court must appoint independent legal counsel for your parent, regardless of their ability to pay. The appointed attorney acts as a zealous advocate for your parent's expressed wishes — not as a neutral mediator.

Common Mistakes That Delay Filing

Missing the 20-day service window. If G-01 isn't served at least 20 days before the hearing, the court will postpone. Track service dates carefully.

Incomplete G-06. The expert report must be signed by a licensed physician or psychologist — a nurse practitioner's evaluation alone may not satisfy the court.

Forgetting to register for GTS. Failing to file annual reports on time through the Guardianship Tracking System can trigger a court audit and, in serious cases, removal of the guardian.

The Pennsylvania Power of Attorney & Guardianship Kit includes a guardianship resource guide with form-by-form instructions, Orphans' Court filing timelines, and GTS registration walkthrough — so you know exactly what each form requires and when it's due.

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