Guardianship Information / Forms
- Overview - Probate Guardianship
and Mental Health Division - Administrative Orders
- Guardian Fee Pointers-Pinellas
- Guardian Fee Pointers-Pasco
- Forms
- Approved Initial and Annual Forms
- Guardianship, Mental Health and Court Monitor Division
- Legal Resources and and Helpful Links
The following applies to Pinellas County:
Background Investigations of Proposed Guardians
Pursuant to Florida Statute 744.3135(1) and Administrative Order 2019-005 PA/PI CIR, all petitions for appointment of guardian(s), including petitions for appointment of successor guardian will be forwarded by the Clerk’s office to the Probate, Guardianship and Mental Health division of the Court for a criminal and credit (if appropriate) background investigation PRIOR to the appointment of the guardian. If the investigation results reveal discrepancies, a letter stating the discrepancies will be sent to the section judge, the attorney and the proposed guardian(s). The section judge will determine if further action, such as a hearing, is necessary.
Office of Public and Professional Guardians
Per Section 744.2002, Florida Statutes "A professional guardian must register with the Office of Public and Professional Guardians. Thus, a professional guardian cannot be appointed as guardian if not registered with the Office of Public and Professional Guardians and a professional guardian may be required to show proof of current registration at the time of appointment or provide written proof of compliance at the time of the hearing.
If the Office of Public and Professional Guardians removes or declines to register a professional guardian because of the professional guardian’s failure to timely file a renewal package or a complete package or due to other discrepancies the Court will allow the professional guardian to demonstrate their filing of the renewal package within thirty (30) days after the due date. If the renewal package is not filed after the thirty (30) day grace period, the Court may deny petitions for appointment and reduce the hourly rate of the professional guardian. The professional guardian is encouraged to keep the Court apprised of his/her registration status.
Trusts:
As has been the Court’s procedure for the past several years, any petition for authorization to create a trust with guardianship funds should include a copy of the trust agreement and should allege that the trustee is willing to submit to the jurisdiction of the court. In most cases, the Court prefers the trustee to be a different person or entity than the guardian. However, petitions will be determined on a case by case basis.
The trustee is obligated to act according to the terms of the trust agreement and the order authorizing the trust. As has been the Court’s policy, a trustee may be asked to submit to the Court’s jurisdiction and the guardian may be asked to submit a copy of the trust accounting for the Court’s review.
Initial and Annual Forms: |
Guardianship Initial and Annual Reports are located at the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts website - scroll down to Guardianship. |
Forms include calculations and drop down menus. Download forms to a computer for editing. Forms created using Microsoft Office software, but other brands of document and spreadsheet software will function and allow data entry.
Computers and printers are available for those without access to a computer or the internet at this location:
Pinellas County
Law Library |
pdf format and word
As required in Pasco County electronic filing of documents shall be made via this link. |
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Payment of Examining Committee Fees:
Mail payment to: 14250 49th Street North, 2H
Clearwater, FL 33762
Make all checks payable to the State of Florida, Sixth Judicial Circuit AND provide the case number.
Administrative Orders:
Legal Resources and Helpful Links:
Credit Report Information:
Floridians are able to receive one free copy of their credit report per year through Annual Credit Report
Guardianship/Filing Tips:
- Family Friendly Accountings
- 10 Tips for Family and Non-Professional Guardians
- Clerk's Accounting Practices (Presentation Slides)
- Social Security Benefits (Presentation Slides)
- Agency for Persons with Disabilities - Overview (Presentation Slides)
Community Resources:
- Pinellas County Lawyer Referral Service
- Hillsborough County Lawyer Referral Service
- Hispanic Outreach Center
- Agency for Persons with Disabilities