Guardianship and conservatorship in Nevada: who, where, cost
How a court can name a guardian or conservator in Nevada, what it costs and what to try first.
Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.
Short answer
Guardian of the person, guardian of the estate, or guardian of the person and estate; special guardian; temporary guardian.
- Filing fee
- $5 to file a guardianship petition when the stated value of the estate is more than $2,500; no fee when it is $2,500 or less.
- Court
- Nevada district court.
What guardianship or conservatorship is
- What it is called
Guardian of the person, guardian of the estate, or guardian of the person and estate; special guardian; temporary guardian
- When a court may appoint one
A person is 'incapacitated' if, for reasons other than being a minor, they cannot receive and evaluate information or make or communicate decisions to the extent that they cannot meet essential requirements for physical health, safety or self-care without appropriate help. If the court finds the person is not incapacitated, it dismisses the petition; if the person has limited capacity, it may appoint a special guardian with specific powers; otherwise it may appoint a general guardian. The petition must say whether the person has powers of attorney or a written guardian nomination, include a physician's needs assessment, and attest that information on less restrictive alternatives was given to the person.
Law: NRS 159.019; NRS 159.054; NRS 159.044
- Kinds
- General guardian of the person, the estate, or both
- Special guardian for a person of limited capacity
- Temporary guardian when there is a substantial and immediate risk of physical harm or need for immediate medical attention
- Temporary guardian when there is a substantial and immediate risk of financial loss
Law: NRS 159.019, 159.044, 159.054, 159.0523, 159.0525, 159.0613, 159.0753; NRS 19.013
Who can ask, which court and your own choice
- Who may ask
The proposed protected person, a government agency, a nonprofit corporation or any interested person.
Law: NRS 159.044(1)
- Court
Nevada district court.
- Choosing your own
You can nominate a guardian of your estate in a power of attorney and a guardian of your person in a power of attorney for health care, or use a separate nomination form that you sign before two impartial adult witnesses and have notarized. The court gives preference to a nominated person, then to a relative, if qualified and suitable.
Law: NRS 162A.250; NRS 162A.800; NRS 159.0753; NRS 159.0613
- Effect on a power of attorney
If a guardian of your estate is appointed, a nondurable power of attorney ends and a durable one is suspended unless the court lets the agent keep specific powers (the agent then files accountings). The same rule applies to a health care power of attorney when a guardian of the person is appointed.
Law: NRS 162A.250, 162A.800
Cost, fee waiver and forms
- Filing fee
$5 to file a guardianship petition when the stated value of the estate is more than $2,500; no fee when it is $2,500 or less. No other fee may be charged for filing the petition.
Law: NRS 19.013
- Forms
- Steps
Other options and where to report abuse
- Supported decision-making
Supported Decision-Making Act
Effective 2019 (Statutes of Nevada 2019, p. 460)
An adult can choose supporters to help them understand information, make decisions and communicate them, without the supporter deciding for them. The agreement cannot be used as evidence of incapacity, and the adult can still act on their own. Either side can end it at any time, orally or in writing, with notice to the others.
A written, dated agreement naming one or more supporters, listing the decisions they may and may not help with, and signed by each party in the presence of at least two adult witnesses.
Source: Official text
- Less restrictive options
- Durable power of attorney for financial matters: Names an agent to handle money and property. Listed by Nevada law as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship.
- Durable power of attorney for health care: Names an agent to make medical decisions.
- Supported decision-making agreement: Supporters help the adult make and communicate their own decisions.
- Report abuse or exploitation
Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division - Adult Protective Services · (702) 486-6930
Call or text the Eldercare Locator to find your local adult protective services: 1-800-677-1116 · eldercare.acl.gov
Law: NRS 162C.200, 162C.210, 162C.300
Free help in Nevada
- Find Legal Help (Nevada Supreme Court Self-Help Center list of legal aid and lawyer referral)
- Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
- Nevada Supreme Court Self-Help Center: Guardianship
- Nevada Self-Help Center: How to Open an Adult Guardianship Case
- Nevada Self-Help Center: Guardianship Forms
- Find free legal aid at LawHelp.org
Report abuse or exploitation
Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division - Adult Protective Services · (702) 486-6930
Questions about powers of attorney in Nevada
How does guardianship or conservatorship work in Nevada?
A person is 'incapacitated' if, for reasons other than being a minor, they cannot receive and evaluate information or make or communicate decisions to the extent that they cannot meet essential requirements for physical health, safety or self-care without appropriate help.
What does a guardianship or conservatorship cost in Nevada?
$5 to file a guardianship petition when the stated value of the estate is more than $2,500; no fee when it is $2,500 or less. No other fee may be charged for filing the petition.
What are the alternatives to guardianship in Nevada?
Durable power of attorney for financial matters; Durable power of attorney for health care; Supported decision-making agreement.