In 2013, the Indiana General Assembly provided funding to establish the Adult Guardianship Office under the Indiana Supreme Court. This office provides general resources for courts on issues related to adult guardianship and administers funding for VASIA programs throughout the state.
VASIA Programs
The Adult Guardianship Office oversees the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors & Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) programs. In 2023, we awarded $1.3 million in matching funding to 20 volunteer-based guardianship programs, serving 52 counties. These VASIA programs currently assist over 800 vulnerable adults in Indiana who do not otherwise have suitable family or others to provide for their care. Access the list of 2023 VASIA recipients (with contact information).
The VASIA 2024 grant cycle is currently in progress. All materials must be submitted by October 20, 2023 to be considered for grant funding. To receive more information and an application, please email Nick Parker at nick.parker@courts.in.gov (with subject line “VASIA Application”).
Adult Guardianship Symposium
Each year, the Adult Guardianship Office hosts a symposium to bring together interested parties to discuss key issues in adult guardianship services and supports. The 2023 Adult Guardianship Virtual Symposium was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. See the 2023 symposium agenda.
Guardianship Registry
The Adult Guardianship Office is also involved in the development of an online guardianship registry. The registry provides useful and timely information to the public on the current status of guardianships throughout the state. The registry provides non-confidential information to the public, including the name of the protected person, the name of the appointed guardian, the protected person's year of birth, whether the guardianship case is active or expired, when the letters of guardianship were issued, the county issuing the guardianship and the guardianship cause number.
It serves as a vital tool for hospitals, banks, law enforcement, mental health facilities, government agencies and other service providers in situations when knowing if someone is under a guardianship and who needs to be contacted is critical. It is also an important tool for courts, tracking the number and types of guardianships filed in each jurisdiction. Access the Guardianship Registry Fact Sheet.
Search the Guardianship Registry
Many counties now use the guardianship registry. Please contact your county clerk to ask about the forms to fill out when filing a guardianship. Access the Guardianship Information Sheet.
Partnering Together
The Indiana Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS) is a work group of public and private key stakeholders and advocates convened to examine public policy and service delivery issues and needs related to adult guardianship in Indiana. For more information on the Indiana Chapter of WINGS visit the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging.
Legal Advice
Please note that the Adult Guardianship Office is unable to provide the general public with legal advice, representation or legal services and cannot provide direct advocacy for setting up, removing, or changing a guardian. See information on getting legal help.
For more information on the Adult Guardianship Office, contact
Nick Parker, Staff Attorney
Children & Families Division
251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 234-5562
nick.parker@courts.IN.gov