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. The bill also mandates that guardians mail copies of these quarterly accountings to the wards' next of kin. Additionally, the court is authorized to set a different quarterly schedule if necessary, and certain provisions have been updated to reflect these changes.

Further amendments include the requirement for the court to appoint an appraiser to assess the ward's property, with all related documentation retained in the court file. The bill also introduces a provision for the court to refer guardians to the Department of Law Enforcement for criminal investigation if they are found to be misappropriating the ward's assets. Other sections have been adjusted to conform to these changes, ensuring that the guardianship process is more transparent and accountable. 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