What type of court document describes a minor as needing supervision?

The correct answer is a formal petition. A formal petition is a legal document filed in a juvenile court that requests the court to intervene in the life of a minor who is deemed to be in need of supervision. This type of petition outlines the specific reasons the minor requires court assistance, often due to issues related to behavior, family circumstances, or other factors that affect the minor's well-being.

In this context, the formal petition serves as a critical step in the juvenile justice process. It provides a framework for the court to assess the situation, determine the best course of action for the minor, and potentially impose terms of supervision or treatment.

The other options, while related to juvenile and family law, do not specifically encapsulate the concept of a minor needing supervision in the same manner. For instance, a custody order refers to the arrangement concerning the care and guardianship of a child, but it does not inherently involve the issue of supervision. A dependent petition also pertains to the welfare of a child, particularly in situations of abuse or neglect, but it is primarily focused on dependency status rather than supervision alone. A diversion plan is typically associated with alternatives to formal processing in the court system but does not directly describe the need for supervision itself.