Frequently Asked Questions for Guardianships
What is a professional guardian?
Why do I need an attorney?
Where can I get a copy of the Department of Children and Families release form?
What is an initial report?
What are Letters of Guardianship?
What is an annual report?
Am I required to file my reports on certain forms?
Where can I get the court approved forms?
What is a guardian?
A person appointed by the Court to act on behalf of a ward's person or property, or both.
What is a professional guardian?A guardian who receives compensation for more than three wards excluding family members.
Why do I need an attorney?Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires that every guardian be represented by an attorney admitted to practice law in Florida unless the guardian is an attorney admitted to practice law in Florida.
Where can I get a copy of the Department of Children and Families release form?
This form is available from the Sixth Judicial Court's web site,
www.jud6.org. Hard copies of the forms are also available at the Pasco County Law
Library and the Office of the Clerk & Comptroller, Probate Department in both Dade City
and New Port Richey.
**See below for addresses and telephone numbers**
For a guardian of the person, the initial report is the "INITIAL PLAN", which covers the period from the date the Letters of Guardianship were signed to the end of the month following the year in which the Letters of Guardianship were signed.
For a guardian of the property, the initial report is the "VERIFIED INVENTORY".
This INITIAL REPORT is due within 60 days from the date the Letters of Guardianship were signed.
What are Letters of Guardianship?Letters of Guardianship give the guardian the authority to act on behalf of the ward.
What is an annual report?For a guardian of the person, the annual report is the "ANNUAL PLAN", which would cover the person for the forthcoming fiscal year.
For a guardian of the property, the annual report is the "ANNUAL ACCOUNTING", which would cover the period from the date the Letters of Guardianship were signed to the end of the month of the following year in which Letters of Guardianship were signed. Thereafter, the ANNUAL ACCOUNTING would cover the period for the past fiscal year.
Annual Accounting Plan is due between 60 and 90 days prior to the beginning date of the plan.
Am I required to file my reports on certain forms?Yes. Administrative Order 2009-036 PA/PI-CIR directs the guardian to file on court approved forms.
Where can I get the court approved forms?
The forms are available from the Sixth Judicial Court's web site,
www.jud6.org. Hard copies of these forms are also available at the Pasco County Law
Library and the Office of the Clerk & Comptroller, Probate Department in Dade City or
New Port Richey.
**See below for addresses and telephone numbers**
Department Contact Information
| DADE CITY | NEW PORT RICHEY |
|---|---|
| Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq. Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller 38053 Live Oak Avenue Suite 207 Dade City, FL 33523-3894 352-521-4542, Option 4 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday Directions |
Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq. Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Mailing Address P.O. Box 338 New Port Richey, FL 34656-0338 Physical Location: 7530 Little Road Suite 104 New Port Richey, FL 34654 727-847-8031, Option 4 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday Directions |