# Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.045: 475.045 Who may be appointed guardian of minor

> Missouri · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.045

## Section

- **Citation:** Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.045
- **Heading:** 475.045 Who may be appointed guardian of minor
- **Jurisdiction:** Missouri
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MO Code / Chapter 475 / Section 475.045

## Text

475.045. Who may be appointed guardian of minor. — 1. Except in cases where they fail or refuse to give required security or are adjudged unfit for the duties of guardianship or conservatorship, or waive their rights to be appointed, the following persons, if otherwise qualified, shall be appointed as guardians or conservators of minors:

(1) The parent or parents of the minor, except as provided in section 475.030 ;

(2) If any minor over the age of fourteen years has no qualified parent living, a person nominated by the minor, unless the court finds appointment contrary to the best interests of the minor;

(3) Where both parents of a minor are dead, any person appointed under this section or section 475.046 by the will of the last surviving parent, who has not been adjudged unfit or incompetent for the duties of guardian or conservator.

2. Unfitness of any of the persons mentioned in subsection 1 for the duties of guardianship or conservatorship may be adjudged by the court after due notice and hearing.

3. If no appointment is made under subsection 1 of this section, the court shall appoint as guardian or conservator of a minor the most suitable person who is willing to serve and whose appointment serves the best interests of the child to a stable and permanent placement.

(RSMo 1939 §§ 375, 378, 379, 380, 392, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 290, A.L. 1983 S.B. 44 & 45, A.L. 2009 H.B. 154) Prior revisions: 1929 §§ 375, 378, 379, 380, 392; 1919 §§ 371, 374, 375, 376, 388; 1909 §§ 403, 406, 407, 408, 420 CROSS REFERENCE: Public administrator appointed as guardian, when, 473.743

## Nearby sections

- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.010 475.010 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.010.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.011 475.011 Preference for spiritual healing not evidence of incapacity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.011.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.015 475.015 Relationship of guardianship provisions to uniform veterans' guardianship ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.015.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.016 475.016 Persons adjudged incompetent prior to September 28, 1983 — review — effect ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.016.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.020 475.020 Applicability of provisions of probate code to guardianship.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.020.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.025 475.025 Rights of parents as natural guardians of minors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.025.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.030 475.030 Letters of guardianship and conservatorship issued, when.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.030.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.035 475.035 Venue.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.035.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.040 475.040 Change of venue.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.040.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.045 475.045 Who may be appointed guardian of minor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.045.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.046 475.046 Standby guardian permitted, when — appointment procedure — authority ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.046.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.050 475.050 Appointment of guardian or conservator of disabled or incapacitated persons ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.050.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.055 475.055 Qualifications of guardians or conservators.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.055.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.060 475.060 Application for guardianship — petition for guardianship requirements — ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.060.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.045. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.