These organizations can help you complete an application at no cost.
You can also contact the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee with questions. If the application is complex, consult a lawyer.
Have a professional evaluate whether the adult can make decisions on their own. This is called a capacity assessment.
You can ask a:
- family physician
- psychologist
- psychiatrist
- designated capacity assessor
Find a designated capacity assessor
They must fill out this form:
It must be dated within 6 months of when you submit your application.
Desk application
Choose this path if you don’t think anyone, such as the adult or a family member, will oppose the application.
The judge makes a decision based on the information in the application package. Unless someone objects to the application and submits the required form, you don’t have to go to court.
Application by hearing
Choose this path if:
- you need a guardianship and trusteeship order quickly
- someone is likely to oppose the application, such as the adult or a family member
It’s recommended that you use a lawyer for this type of application.
The application is discussed at a hearing. You or your lawyer must appear in court.
When making a decision, the judge considers the comments of the people at the hearing, as well as the information in the application package.
What’s important to know
- Some web browsers, such as Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, don’t open fillable PDF forms on our site; Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher works best.
- We prefer you complete the forms on your computer and print them. If you must complete them by hand, please use blue ink.
- You can’t submit the forms online. Please print and submit a hardcopy original.
- Print all forms single-sided. The court won’t accept double-sided forms.
- Photocopies aren’t accepted.
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If you are working with one of the organizations that provides free help or with a lawyer, they will walk you through this process.
You can also call the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee if you have questions.
Complete these forms in the order listed here
Bundle #1: Application for guardianship and trusteeship
The links below provide additional instructions for the 10 forms included in the application package above. You don’t need to download the forms; just use the instructions that accompany them.
Bundle #2: Background checks
For all guardianship and trusteeship combined applications, we will do:
- a reference check
- a criminal record check
- a credit check
If you have concerns about these checks and how they’ll impact your eligibility, please contact the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee.
Application by hearing
If you choose the application by hearing path, complete this form in addition to those listed above:
Desk application
Submit your application to your local Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee.
Contact your local office
If you’re working with one of the organizations that provides free assistance or with a lawyer, they’ll submit your application package for you.
If you put the application package together on your own, before you submit it, please call one of the organizations that provides free assistance or the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. They’ll make sure you have all the necessary paperwork.
Organizations that provide free assistance
Along with your application, please include a cheque or money order for the $250 court filing fee. Cash is not accepted. Make your cheque or money order out to the Government of Alberta. Your cheque won’t be cashed for 30 to 50 days.
Application by hearing
You or your lawyer submit your application to the clerk of the provincial court, set a hearing date and notify all the parties involved.
If anyone objects to the application, including the adult, they can go to the hearing to voice their concerns.
A copy of the application package you filed with the court must be served to the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee at least 30 days before the hearing date.
If you are working with a lawyer, they’ll do this for you.
If you put the application package together on your own, contact your local Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee for instructions.
Contact your local office
Along with your application, please include a cheque or money order for the $250 court filing fee. Cash is not accepted. Make your cheque or money order out to the Government of Alberta. Your cheque will not be cashed for 30 to 50 days.
A review officer from the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee will meet with the adult to ask them what they think about the application for guardianship and trusteeship.
They’ll prepare a report for the court. If you are the person applying for guardianship and trusteeship, you’ll get a copy in the mail.
If this is a desk application, the review officer will also send a letter to:
- the people listed as “interested parties” in the application
- anyone else they think should know about the application
The letter tells them that an application has been made and that if they don’t support it, they can ask for a court hearing.
If someone opposes the application
If the adult or someone else thinks the application for guardianship and trusteeship isn’t a good idea, they or their lawyer can go to court to voice their concerns.
- If it’s an application by hearing, the person with concerns or their lawyer must go to court on the date of the hearing.
- If it’s a desk application, the person with concerns must submit the form below by the date listed in the review officer’s letter.
Form 31: Request for Hearing
If that happens, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee will send you a detailed letter explaining next steps. You’ll have to file the form below with the court, set a hearing date and notify all parties involved.
Form 39: Notice of Application and Hearing
The person who objects, or their lawyer, must appear in court to discuss their concerns.
If guardianship and trusteeship is granted
You, the adult and other interested parties will receive a copy of the court order. It names the guardian and trustee, any alternates and the areas where you have authority to make decisions.
It may also include a review date.
Learn more about guardianship review
Learn more about trusteeship review
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