This 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 accounting period concluding within three months of the issuance of guardianship letters. Additionally, guardians must mail copies of these quarterly accountings to the wards' next of kin. The court retains the authority to establish a different quarterly schedule if necessary.

Further amendments include the requirement for the court to appoint an appraiser to assess the ward's property, with all related documentation to be retained in the court file. The bill also mandates that certain guardians be referred to the Department of Law Enforcement for criminal investigation if they are removed for specific reasons, such as misappropriation of assets. Other provisions ensure that guardians are not required to file annual accountings if the ward's income is solely from Social Security benefits and the guardian is the representative payee. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1806 Filed: 744.368, 744.381, 744.444, 744.474, 393.12