The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to the guardianship of property, primarily shifting the requirement for guardians to file accounting reports from an annual to a quarterly basis. Specifically, guardians will now be required to submit quarterly accountings by April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1 each year, with the first quarterly period concluding within three months of the issuance of guardianship letters. Additionally, guardians must mail copies of these quarterly accountings to the ward's next of kin. The court retains the authority to set a different quarterly schedule if necessary. Other amendments include provisions for appraisals of the ward's property, the retention of documentation in court files, and the referral of certain guardians to the Department of Law Enforcement for criminal investigations if misconduct is suspected.

Further changes include the introduction of simplified accounting procedures for guardians managing property in designated depositories, allowing them to file monthly statements instead of annual reports under specific conditions. The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of the clerk of the circuit court regarding the review of guardianship reports and outlines the reasons for the removal of guardians, including a new requirement for the court to refer attorneys who misappropriate assets to law enforcement for investigation. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 407 Filed: 744.368, 744.381, 744.444, 744.474, 393.12