In 2013, the Indiana General Assembly provided funding to establish the Adult Guardianship Office under the Indiana Supreme Court. This office provides general resources for courts on issues related to adult guardianship and administers funding for programs throughout the state.
VASIA Programs
The Adult Guardianship Office oversees the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors & Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) programs. In 2022, more than $1.2 million in matching funding was granted to twenty volunteer-based guardianship programs, serving 52 counties. These VASIA programs currently assist over 800 vulnerable and incapacitated adults in Indiana who are unable to make personal and financial decisions regarding their care.
The application window for the 2023 VASIA grant cycle has closed. Application materials for the 2024 VASIA grant cycle will be available in Fall 2023.
Adult Guardianship Symposium
Each year, the Adult Guardianship Office hosts a symposium to bring together practitioners, guardians, volunteers, protected persons and other interested parties to discuss key issues in adult guardianship services and supports. The 2022 Adult Guardianship Virtual Symposium was held on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. A copy of the symposium agenda is available.
Guardianship Registry
The Adult Guardianship Office is also involved in the development of an online guardianship registry. The registry provides useful and timely information to the public on the current status of guardianships throughout the state. It also serves as a vital tool for hospitals, banks, law enforcement, mental health facilities, government agencies and other service providers in situations when knowing if someone is under a guardianship and who needs to be contacted is critical. It is also an important tool for courts, tracking the number and types of guardianships filed in each jurisdiction. Access the registry fact sheet.
Search the guardianship registry
Many counties now use the guardianship registry. Please contact your county clerk to ask about the forms to fill out when filing a guardianship. Access the Guardianship Information Sheet.
The registry provides non-confidential information to the public, including the name of the protected person, the name of the appointed guardian, the protected person's year of birth, whether the guardianship case is active or expired, when the letters of guardianship were issued, the county issuing the guardianship and the guardianship cause number.
Guardianship Task Force
The Indiana Adult Guardianship State Task Force is a multidisciplinary work group of public and private key stakeholders and advocates convened to examine the public policy and service delivery issues and needs related to adult guardianship in Indiana. Find more information on the Task Force.
Legal Advice
Please note that the Adult Guardianship Office is unable to provide the general public with legal advice, representation or legal services. We cannot answer your legal questions or provide direct advocacy for setting up, removing or changing a guardian.
Here are a few resources that may provide legal services. Please keep in mind that each organization has their own intake/screening procedure. All services are subject to availability and limitations:
- Indiana Bar Foundation Free Legal Answers
- Indiana Legal Help
- Indiana Legal Services
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
- Find a Private Attorney
If you have additional questions about filing a guardianship, please contact an attorney or reach out directly to your county bar association.
For more information on the Adult Guardianship Office, contact
Nick Parker, Staff Attorney
Children & Families Division
251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 234-5562
nick.parker@courts.IN.gov