Indiana Code

Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (2026)

Persons entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian

✓ current as of May 2026
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     Sec. 5. (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed:

(1) A person designated in a durable power of attorney.

(2) A person designated as a standby guardian under IC 29-3-3-7.

(3) The spouse of an incapacitated person.

(4) An adult child of an incapacitated person.

(5) A parent of an incapacitated person, or a person nominated by will of a deceased parent of an incapacitated person or by any writing signed by a parent of an incapacitated person and attested to by at least two (2) witnesses, or in a power of attorney of a living parent of an incapacitated person under IC 30-5-3-4(c).

(6) A parent of a minor, a de facto custodian of a minor, or a person nominated:

(A) by will of a deceased parent or a de facto custodian of a minor; or

(B) by a power of attorney of a living parent or a de facto custodian of a minor.

(7) Any person related to an incapacitated person by blood or marriage with whom the incapacitated person has resided for more than six (6) months before the filing of the petition.

(8) A person nominated by the incapacitated person who is caring for or paying for the care of the incapacitated person.

     (b) With respect to persons having equal priority, the court shall select the person it considers best qualified to serve as guardian. The court, acting in the best interest of the incapacitated person or minor, may pass over a person having priority and appoint a person having a lower priority or no priority under this section.

     (c) In addition to this section, section 4.1 of this chapter applies if a person having equal priority is a person with a disability.

As added by P.L.169-1988, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.33-1989, SEC.70; P.L.190-2016, SEC.40; P.L.194-2017, SEC.8; P.L.146-2021, SEC.3.

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases, 2006–2020 · leading case: In Re the Guardianship of A.L.C., 902 N.E.2d 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
In Re the Guardianship of A.L.C., 902 N.E.2d 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 28× “And Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-5 provides, in relevant part: (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: * * * (4) A parent of an incapacitated person, or a person nominated by will of a…”
Cook v. Harris, 852 N.E.2d 933 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 4× “The trial court's discretion in appointing a guardian, however, is somewhat limited by Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-4 and Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-5. Indiana Code Section 29-8-5-5 sets forth the order of people that are entitled to consideration *938 as guardian and lists "[a]…”
In re the Guardianship of Hellen Kinney Morris: Mary M. Kinney & Patrick Kinney v. Paul Kevin Kinney, 56 N.E.3d 719 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 6× “Code § 29-3-5-4 ; see also Ind.Code § 29-3-5-5 (listing people entitled to consideration for appointment as guardian and the order of consideration).”
Conrad v. Atkins, 868 N.E.2d 878 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “I.C. § 29-3-5-5(a). With respect to persons having equal priority, however, “the court shall select the person it considers best qualified to serve as guardian.”
Ault v. Brewer, 922 N.E.2d 82 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “Indiana Code section 29-3-5-5 sets out the order of priorities for appointment as guardian: (1) A person designated in a durable power of attorney.”
In re the Guardianship of Benjamin Jack, an Incapacitated Person, Alex Jack (Father) v. Christine Jack (Mother) (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 8× “Father argues the trial court failed to select the best qualified person and that Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (b) requires the court to appoint a Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-GU-2079 | February 14, 2020 Page 6 of 12 single person as guardian.”
D.R. v. Carey Servs., Inc., 942 N.E.2d 148 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “I.C. § 29-3-5-5. The guardianship statutes define “guardian” as “a person who is a fiduciary and is appointed by a court to be a guardian or conservator responsible as the court may direct for the person or the property of an incapacitated person or minor.”
Guardianship: Michelle Steege (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “Code § 29-3-5-4 (8), and act in that best interest, Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (b). The guardian is a fiduciary who must, among other things, protect and preserve the property of the protected person subject to guardianship and conserve any property of the protected person in excess…”
In re the Guardianship of: A.S.S. Glen Scisney v. Saleem Adams & Tamara Adams (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “2 [9] Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 provided: (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: (1) A person designated in a durable power of attorney.”
In re the Guardianship of: A.E.S. Glen Scisney v. Saleem Adams & Tamara Adams (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “1 [8] Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 provided: 1 The 2017 amendment inserted a new subsection (2) and redesignated former subsections (2) to (8) as subsections (3) to (9).”
In Re the Guardianship of Ruth Carter, an Incompetent Adult, Colleen F. Batt v. Marsha K. Moore (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 6× “” Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (b) (emphasis added).”
In the Matter of the Guardianship of: M.A.M.J., a minor Diana Sullivan v. Katherine Ashley Oliver (Ind. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 4× “Additionally, Indiana Code § 29-3-5-5 sets forth priorities for the trial court to consider when appointing a guardian: The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: (1) A person designated in a…”
— Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5(a) — 2 cases
Conrad v. Atkins, 868 N.E.2d 878 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “I.C. § 29-3-5-5(a). With respect to persons having equal priority, however, “the court shall select the person it considers best qualified to serve as guardian.”
In Re the Guardianship of Ruth Carter, an Incompetent Adult, Colleen F. Batt v. Marsha K. Moore (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). “” Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (b) (emphasis added).”
— Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5(a)(1) — 1 case
Guardianship: Michelle Steege (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “Code § 29-3-5-4 (8), and act in that best interest, Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (b). The guardian is a fiduciary who must, among other things, protect and preserve the property of the protected person subject to guardianship and conserve any property of the protected person in excess…”
— Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5(a)(4) — 1 case
In Re the Guardianship of A.L.C., 902 N.E.2d 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). “And Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-5 provides, in relevant part: (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: * * * (4) A parent of an incapacitated person, or a person nominated by will of a…”
— Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5(a)(d) — 1 case
In Re the Guardianship of A.L.C., 902 N.E.2d 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). “And Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-5 provides, in relevant part: (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: * * * (4) A parent of an incapacitated person, or a person nominated by will of a…”
— Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5(a)(d4) — 1 case
In Re the Guardianship of A.L.C., 902 N.E.2d 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). “And Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-5 provides, in relevant part: (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: * * * (4) A parent of an incapacitated person, or a person nominated by will of a…”
— Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5(b) — 3 cases
In Re the Guardianship of A.L.C., 902 N.E.2d 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). “And Indiana Code Section 29-3-5-5 provides, in relevant part: (a) The following are entitled to consideration for appointment as a guardian under section 4 of this chapter in the order listed: * * * (4) A parent of an incapacitated person, or a person nominated by will of a…”
In Re the Guardianship of Ruth Carter, an Incompetent Adult, Colleen F. Batt v. Marsha K. Moore (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). “” Ind. Code § 29-3-5-5 (b) (emphasis added).”
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