Before letters of guardianship shall issue, the guardian shall accept the appointment in accordance with R. 4:96-1.
Rule 4:81-5.Acceptance
Last amended September 4, 1990 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:81-5 requires a guardian to accept the appointment, following the same procedure any fiduciary uses, before letters of guardianship issue.
Full Text of Rule 4:81-5
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.
Source-R.R. 103-3 (second sentence); former R. 4:82-5; amended and rule redesignated June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990.
Plain-English Summary
Letters of guardianship don't issue automatically once a guardian is named — the guardian first has to accept the appointment, the same way any fiduciary does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must a guardian formally accept the appointment before letters issue?
Yes, following the same acceptance procedure used for any fiduciary.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:81-5). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: guardian's acceptance