KY risk area

Guardianship risk in Kentucky

How courts appoint guardians for minors when no plan is in place.

Kentucky guardianship for minors is handled in District Court, which appoints a guardian to manage the minor’s care or property.

What happens to minor children immediately after a death?How does the court choose a guardian?How long can the guardianship process take?

At a glance

Key takeaways

  • A guardian is an individual or entity appointed by the District Court to have care, custody, and control of a minor.
  • Interested persons include adult relatives, friends, or agencies concerned with the minor’s welfare.
  • Kentucky recognizes limited guardians and conservators for different scopes of responsibility.

Questions to consider

Questions this risk area helps you evaluate in Kentucky

  • What happens to minor children immediately after a death?
  • How does the court choose a guardian?
  • How long can the guardianship process take?

State overview

Kentucky guardianship for minors is handled in District Court, which appoints a guardian to manage the minor’s care or property.

  • A guardian is an individual or entity appointed by the District Court to have care, custody, and control of a minor.
  • Interested persons include adult relatives, friends, or agencies concerned with the minor’s welfare.
  • Kentucky recognizes limited guardians and conservators for different scopes of responsibility.

Sources

Risk sources

National sources provide baseline context; state statutes and court rules control in Kentucky.