Designation of Guardian for Minor Child

DESIGNATION OF GUARDIAN FOR MINOR CHILD

STATE OF ARIZONA

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 14-5202 et seq.

ARTICLE I — DECLARANT INFORMATION

I, the undersigned Declarant, make this Designation of Guardian ("Designation") under and pursuant to the laws of the State of Arizona, including Arizona Revised Statutes § 14-5202, which authorizes a parent of an unmarried minor to appoint a guardian for the minor by will or other signed writing.

Status of Other Parent:

Arizona Law Note: Under A.R.S. § 14-5202, the parent of an unmarried minor may appoint a guardian by will or other signed writing. If both parents are deceased, an effective appointment by the parent who died later has priority unless the later-dying parent had no parental rights at the time of death. The appointment becomes effective when the guardian files acceptance in the court where the will is probated or, for a non-testamentary instrument, in the court where the minor resides.

ARTICLE II — MINOR CHILDREN INFORMATION

I hereby designate a guardian for the following minor child(ren) for whom I have legal custody or parental authority:

Arizona Law Note: Under A.R.S. § 14-5203, a minor who has attained fourteen (14) years of age may object to a testamentary appointment. If the minor objects before the appointment is accepted, the appointment is ineffective, and the court shall appoint a guardian pursuant to A.R.S. § 14-5204.

ARTICLE III — DESIGNATION OF PRIMARY GUARDIAN

Section 3.1 — Primary Guardian

I hereby nominate and designate the following individual to serve as Guardian of the Person of my minor child(ren) named above, in the event of my death, incapacity, or inability to care for said child(ren):

Type of Guardianship Designated:

☐ Guardian of the Person only
☐ Guardian of the Estate only
☐ Guardian of both the Person and Estate

Section 3.2 — First Alternate Guardian

If the Primary Guardian named above is unable or unwilling to serve, has predeceased me, or fails to accept the appointment within thirty (30) days after notice of the guardianship proceeding as provided under A.R.S. § 14-5202, I designate the following individual as First Alternate Guardian:

Section 3.3 — Second Alternate Guardian

If neither the Primary Guardian nor the First Alternate Guardian is able or willing to serve, I designate the following individual as Second Alternate Guardian:

ARTICLE IV — POWERS GRANTED TO GUARDIAN

Section 4.1 — General Powers

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 14-5209, the Guardian shall have the following powers and duties with respect to the minor child(ren), to the extent not limited by court order:

☐ The power to take custody of the minor child(ren) and establish the child(ren)'s place of residence within or outside Arizona
☐ The duty to provide for the care, comfort, and maintenance of the minor child(ren)
☐ The duty to take reasonable care of the minor child(ren)'s personal effects
☐ The authority to consent to medical, dental, and psychological treatment and care for the minor child(ren)
☐ The authority to consent to the minor child(ren)'s marriage or adoption
☐ The authority to make decisions concerning the minor child(ren)'s education
☐ The right to receive reasonable compensation for services as guardian, subject to court approval

Section 4.2 — Financial Powers (if Guardian of the Estate is designated)

☐ The authority to manage the minor child(ren)'s financial assets and property
☐ The authority to apply the minor child(ren)'s income and estate for the minor child(ren)'s support, care, and education
☐ The authority to manage, invest, and dispose of the minor child(ren)'s property in accordance with applicable law
☐ The duty to file accountings with the court as required by law

ARTICLE V — SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARE OF MINOR CHILD(REN)

Section 5.1 — Education

☐ The child(ren) shall continue attending their current school(s) to the extent practicable
☐ The child(ren) shall attend the following school(s): [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) shall attend a ☐ public ☐ private ☐ religious ☐ charter school
☐ The child(ren) shall be homeschooled in accordance with A.R.S. § 15-802
☐ Special education services: [________________________________]
☐ Other educational instructions: [________________________________]

Section 5.2 — Religious and Cultural Upbringing

☐ The child(ren) shall be raised in the following faith tradition: [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) shall attend religious services at: [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) shall participate in the following cultural traditions: [________________________________]
☐ No specific religious or cultural instructions

Section 5.3 — Medical Care

☐ The child(ren) shall continue care with their current healthcare providers: [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) have the following known allergies: [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) currently take the following medications: [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) have the following medical conditions requiring ongoing care: [________________________________]
☐ Health insurance information: [________________________________]
☐ Immunization preferences: [________________________________]
☐ Other medical instructions: [________________________________]

Section 5.4 — Financial Provisions

☐ Life insurance policy proceeds are designated for the care of the minor child(ren). Policy No.: [________________________________]
☐ Trust funds have been established for the child(ren). Trust Name: [________________________________]
☐ The following assets are designated for child support: [________________________________]
☐ Monthly budget guidance for child care: $[________________________________]

Section 5.5 — Contact with Family Members

☐ The child(ren) shall maintain regular contact with the following family members: [________________________________]
☐ The child(ren) shall NOT have contact with the following individuals: [________________________________]
☐ Visitation schedule with non-custodial parent (if applicable): [________________________________]

Section 5.6 — Extracurricular Activities and Lifestyle

☐ The child(ren) shall continue the following activities: [________________________________]
☐ Dietary restrictions or preferences: [________________________________]
☐ Pet care instructions: [________________________________]
☐ Other specific instructions: [________________________________]

ARTICLE VI — CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Section 6.1 — Conditions on Guardianship

☐ This Designation applies to all minor child(ren) listed in Article II
☐ This Designation applies only to the following child(ren): [________________________________]
☐ The Guardian shall not relocate the child(ren) outside the State of Arizona without court approval
☐ The Guardian shall not relocate the child(ren) outside of [________________________________] County without court approval
☐ Other conditions: [________________________________]

Section 6.2 — Persons Disqualified from Serving as Guardian

I expressly request that the following individual(s) NOT be appointed as guardian of my minor child(ren), and I state the reasons as follows:

ARTICLE VII — EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION

Section 7.1 — Triggering Events

This Designation shall become effective upon the occurrence of any of the following events (check all that apply):

☐ My death
☐ A judicial determination that I am incapacitated under Arizona law
☐ A written determination by a licensed physician that I am no longer able to care for my child(ren)
☐ My physical absence or unavailability for a period exceeding [____] days
☐ Other triggering event: [________________________________]

Section 7.2 — Duration

This Designation shall remain in effect until:

☐ The minor child(ren) reach the age of majority (eighteen years of age under Arizona law)
☐ A court of competent jurisdiction enters an order modifying or terminating this Designation
☐ I revoke this Designation in writing
☐ The Guardian resigns or is removed by court order

ARTICLE VIII — REVOCATION OF PRIOR DESIGNATIONS

I hereby revoke all prior designations of guardian for the minor child(ren) named in this instrument, whether made by will, written declaration, or other instrument. This Designation supersedes any and all prior guardianship designations executed by me.

ARTICLE IX — ACCEPTANCE BY DESIGNATED GUARDIAN

Primary Guardian Acceptance:

I, [________________________________], hereby acknowledge that I have read this Designation of Guardian, understand the responsibilities described herein, and accept the appointment as Guardian of the minor child(ren) named above, subject to court confirmation as required by Arizona law.

Signature: ________________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

First Alternate Guardian Acceptance:

I, [________________________________], hereby acknowledge that I have read this Designation of Guardian, understand the responsibilities described herein, and accept the appointment as Alternate Guardian of the minor child(ren) named above, should the Primary Guardian be unable or unwilling to serve.

Signature: ________________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

ARTICLE X — DECLARANT SIGNATURE

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Arizona that the foregoing is true and correct, that I am of sound mind, and that I execute this Designation voluntarily and without duress or undue influence.

Signature of Declarant: ________________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

ARTICLE XI — WITNESS ATTESTATION

We, the undersigned witnesses, each being at least eighteen (18) years of age and of sound mind, declare that the Declarant signed this instrument in our presence, or acknowledged to us that the Declarant signed this instrument, and that the Declarant appeared to be of sound mind and not acting under duress.

Witness No. 1:

Witness No. 2:

ARTICLE XII — NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF ARIZONA
COUNTY OF [________________________________]

On this [____] day of [________________], 20[____], before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared [________________________________], known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same in their authorized capacity and that by their signature on the instrument, the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Notary Public Signature: ________________________________

Printed Name of Notary: [________________________________]

My Commission Expires: [__/__/____]

[NOTARY SEAL]

ARTICLE XIII — FILING AND RECORDING INSTRUCTIONS

Important Arizona Practice Notes:

1. Filing Requirement: Under A.R.S. § 14-5202, this Designation should be filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the minor resides or is present. If made by will, the appointment becomes effective upon probate.

2. Acceptance: The appointed Guardian must file an acceptance with the court before the appointment becomes effective. Under A.R.S. § 14-5202, a testamentary guardian who fails to accept within thirty (30) days after notice of the guardianship proceeding may lose priority.

3. Distribution of Copies: Provide copies to:
   - The designated Primary Guardian and Alternate Guardian(s)
   - Your estate planning attorney
   - The Clerk of the Superior Court in your county of residence
   - Any person having care of the minor child(ren)
   - The minor, if fourteen (14) years of age or older

4. Minor's Right to Object: Under A.R.S. § 14-5203, a minor who has attained fourteen (14) years of age may object to the appointment. If the minor objects before the appointment is accepted, the appointment is ineffective.

5. Court Confirmation: While this Designation expresses parental preference, the Arizona Superior Court retains authority under A.R.S. § 14-5204 to appoint a guardian based on the best interests of the child. A parent's designation receives priority but is not absolute.

6. Review and Update: This Designation should be reviewed and updated periodically, and especially after any significant life changes (marriage, divorce, relocation, birth of additional children).

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapter 5, Article 2 — Guardian of Minor (A.R.S. §§ 14-5201 through 14-5212)
• Arizona Judicial Branch — Guardianship Forms: https://azcourthelp.org/forms/guardianship-forms
• Maricopa County Superior Court — Guardianship for Juveniles: https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/juvenile/guardianship/
• Pinal County Superior Court — Guardianship/Conservatorship: https://www.pinalcourtsaz.gov/206/GuardianshipConservatorship

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Arizona attorney. Laws are subject to change, and the applicability of this template to your specific circumstances should be verified by qualified legal counsel.