1. What is a guardian?

2. What is a limited guardian?

3. What is a plenary guardian?

4. What is an incapacitated person?

5. What types of reports are required of a guardian?

6. When are the reports due?

7. Are there any audit fees involved in filing the reports?

What is a guardian?
A guardian is a person who has been appointed by the court to act on behalf of a ward's person or property, or both.

What is a limited guardian?
A limited guardian is a person who has been appointed by the court to exercise the legal rights and powers specifically designated in the court's order. A court will enter such an order after the court has found that the ward lacks the capacity to do some, but not all, of the tasks necessary to care for his or her own person or property. A court may also enter such an order after a person has voluntarily petitioned for the appointment of a limited guardian.

What is a plenary guardian?
A plenary guardian is a person who has been appointed by the court to exercise all delegable legal rights and powers of the ward after the court has found that the ward lacks the capacity to perform all of the tasks necessary to care for his or her own person or property.

What is an incapacitated person?
An incapacitated person is a person who has been judicially determined to lack the capacity necessary to manage at least some of his or her property or who cannot provide for his or her own health and safety. Refer to Judicial Determinations of Incapacity for more information.

What types of reports are required of a guardian?
The guardian of the person is required to file an initial guardianship plan and an annual guardianship plan. The guardian of the property is required to file an inventory and an annual financial return. Reports should be filed with the Clerk's Probate Division, located at 425 North Orange Avenue, Room 340, Orlando, Florida 32801.

When are the reports due?
The initial reports must be filed within 60 days after letters of guardianship are issued. The annual reports must be filed 90 days after the last day of the anniversary month in which the letters of guardianship were issued.

Are there any audit fees involved in filing the reports?
There are no audit fees for an initial or annual guardianship plan. The audit fee for the initial inventory is $75, if the assets of the ward exceed $25,000. The audit fee for the annual financial return ranges from $15 to $225, depending on the value of the estate.

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