Mental Inquest and Guardianship Department
Mental Inquest and Guardianship Department
Office of Circuit Court Clerk
Louis D. Brandies Hall of Justice
Room 3177
600 W. Jefferson St.
Louisville, Ky. 40202
Phone 502-595-4053
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Mental Inquest and Guardianship Department works with individuals petitioning the court for:
Emergency or permanent guardianship of an individual who can no longer manage his or her personal care or finances.
Involuntary commitment/treatment of an adult.
Involuntary admission of a mentally handicapped person.
The department handles the intake of petitions for involuntary commitment/treatment (issuance of mental inquest warrants), new disability petitions, modification/termination
of guardianship and restoration of rights. The department also processes motions/
pleadings, annual financial reports and judicial orders.
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Costs and Fees |
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Appeals
Appeal to District Court-$70
Applications
Regular Guardianship - $68
Regular Guardianship with an Attorney - $70.50
Emergency Guardianship - $136
Emergency Guardianship with an Attorney - $138.50
Petitions
Petition for Modification (Guardianship) - $68
Certifications
Act of Congress - $5
Copies
Certified Copies - $5
Audio/Cassette/CD Orders - $10 per item
Copies - 25 cents per page
Renewals
Limited Guardianship - $68
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Docket and Motion Hour |
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Guardianship Hearings |
Courtroom 309 |
Monday, A.M., Friday, set by presiding judge |
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Guardianship Hearings and Emergencies |
Courtroom 309 |
Scheduled after daily trials |
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Guardianship Jury Trials |
Courtroom 309 |
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m., 11a.m., 1 p.m. |
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Guardianship Motion Hour |
Courtroom 309 |
Thursday 9:30 a.m. |
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Mental Inquest Court Hearings |
Courtroom 310 |
Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. |
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Mental Inquest Traveling Docket |
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Wednesday, 9 a.m. |
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Forms |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: Does a person need to be a relative to take out a mental inquest warrant (MIW)?
A: Anyone with recent, firsthand information can take out a MIW.
Q: How long does it take for a mental inquest warrant to be served?
A: While there is no way to estimate how long it will take to serve a MIW, we inform the petitioner that it may take one to five hours. If the MIW has not been served within five hours, contact the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Q: Does the respondent have access to who filed the mental inquest warrant and the petitioner’s contact information?
A: Yes, the respondent gets a copy of the petition. If any information needs to be changed for safety reasons, it must be changed before the judge reviews the MIW.
Q: What is the procedure for serving as a guardian?
A: The petitioner submits the initial forms, including typewritten proof of the Social Security number of the respondent. Doctors and attorneys are appointed for the respondent and then the case is reviewed by the assistant county attorney. The jury trial is set for 60 to 90 days later.
Q: If someone is appointed a guardian, what are that person’s duties and rights?
A: Once a guardian is appointed, he or she has to file an inventory of the ward’s assets within 60 days and provide annual reports related to the ward’s condition and finances. The guardian may also have access to pay bills and make financial and medical decisions on behalf of the respondent.
Q: Under what circumstances would a person seek to be appointed a guardian?
A: When a person (respondent) can no longer make his or her own decisions, suffers dementia, brain injury and/or mental retardation.
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Legal Glossary |
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Guardian. A person appointed by the court to handle the affairs of a respondent.
Disability Judgment. A court order signed by a judge declaring a respondent mentally disabled.
Motion. A prepared document for change/request that is filed in court for approval.
Petitioner. An individual filing paperwork to initiate proceedings for a court ruling.
Respondent. An individual on whom a petition has been filed.
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