Fl. Prob. R. 5.695

As amended through November 4, 2024

Rule 5.695 - ANNUAL GUARDIANSHIP REPORT

(a) Contents and Filing.

(1)Guardian of the Person. Unless the court requires reporting on a calendar-year basis, the guardian of the person shall file an annual guardianship plan within 90 days after the last day of the anniversary month in which the letters of guardianship were signed. The plan shall include the mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address of the guardian, and:

(A) the residence address of an individual guardian; or

(B) the office address of a corporate or public guardian.

The plan must cover the coming fiscal year ending on the last day of such anniversary month. If the court requires calendar-year reporting, the guardianship plan for the forthcoming year must be filed on or before April 1 of each year.

(2)Guardian of the Property. Unless the court requires or authorizes reporting on a fiscal year basis, the guardian of the property shall file an annual accounting on or before April 1 of each year. The plan shall include the mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address of the guardian, and:

(A) the residence address of an individual guardian; or

(B) the office address of a corporate or public guardian.

The annual accounting shall cover the preceding annual accounting period. If the court requires or authorizes reporting on a fiscal year basis, the annual accounting shall be filed on or before the first day of the fourth month after the end of the fiscal year.

(b) Service. Copies of the annual plan and accounting shall be served on the ward, unless the ward is a minor or is totally incapacitated, and the attorney for the ward, if any. With the approval of the court, service on the ward may be accomplished by serving the attorney for the ward. The guardian shall serve copies on such other persons as the court may direct.

Fl. Prob. R. 5.695

Amended by 2021 WL 5050374, effective 10/28/2021; amended by 287 So.3d 492, effective 1/1/2020; amended by 226 So.3d 245, effective 9/7/2017; amended by 181 So.3d 480, effective 12/17/2015; amended by 102 So.3d 505, effective 9/1/2012; amended by 948 So.2d 735, effective 2/1/2007; amended by 607 So.2d 1306, effective 1/1/1993; amended and renumbered by 584 So.2d 964, effective 10/1/1991; amended by 551 So.2d 452, effective 10/1/1989; amended by 344 So.2d 828, effective 7/1/1977; amended by 324 So.2d 38, effective 1/1/1976; adopted by 201 So. 2d 409, effective 1/1/1968.

Committee Notes

The annual guardianship report consists of the annual plan for the guardian of the person and the annual accounting for the guardian of the property.

For annual guardianship reports regarding minors, see rule 5.555.

With approval of the court, service on the ward may be accomplished by service on the attorney for the ward, if any. The committee was concerned that actual service on a ward of the accounting or guardianship plan may give uninterested persons access to financial or personal information to the detriment of the ward. The committee believes that under such circumstances, the guardian of the property could seek an order under section 744.371(5), Florida Statutes, even if the ward's circumstances were set out in detail in a pleading other than the annual guardianship report. Such court order may be sought in appropriate circumstances at the time of the initial hearing to determine incapacity.

Rule History

1975 Revision: Substantially the same as section 744.427(1), (2), and (4), Florida Statutes, and section 744.437, Florida Statutes, with editorial changes and providing for the waiving, by a ward who has become sui juris or by the personal representative of a deceased ward, of the filing of an annual accounting. The rule requires the guardian of the property of a ward to appear before the court at the time he files his annual accounting or at such time the court shall determine in order that the court may inquire as to any matter relating to the physical and financial well-being of the ward. This appears to be in conflict with section 744.437, Florida Statutes, which refers to "every guardian" but in the same sentence it refers to "at the time the guardian files his annual return" and only the guardian of the property is required to file an annual accounting.

1977 Revision: No change in rule. Change in committee note to conform to statutory renumbering.

1980 Revision: Subdivision (e) amended to avoid conflict with statutory changes in section 744.437, Florida Statutes (1979).

1988 Revision: Matter in (b) deleted; covered in sections 744.427(2) and 744.434, Florida Statutes. Subdivision (c) deleted; covered in section 744.427(4), Florida Statutes. Captions added to subdivisions. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes.

1989 Revision: Prior rule deleted and replaced by temporary emergency rule.

1991 Revision: Substantial changes and rule renumbered.

1992 Revision: Addition of language in subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) to implement 1992 amendments to sections 744.367(1) and (2), Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes.

2006 Revision: Requirement in (b) to serve minors age 14 and above deleted to conform to amendment to section 744.367(3), Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised.

2012 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2015 Revision: Subdivision (a)(1) amended to conform to statutory changes in section 744.367(1), Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised.

2017 Revision: Subdivision (a)(1) amended to conform to statutory changes regarding reporting deadline in section 744.367 (1), Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised.

2019 Revision: Subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) amended to require guardian's contact information.

Statutory References

§ 744.367, Fla. Stat. Duty to file annual guardianship report.

§ 744.3675, Fla. Stat. Annual guardianship plan.

§ 744.3678, Fla. Stat. Annual accounting.

§ 744.3685, Fla. Stat. Order requiring guardianship report; contempt.

§ 744.3701, Fla. Stat. Inspection of report.

§ 744.371, Fla. Stat. Relief to be granted.

§ 744.3735, Fla. Stat. Annual appearance of the guardian.

Rule References

Fla. Prob. R. 5.020 Pleadings; verification; motions.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.041 Service of pleadings and documents.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.060 Request for notices and copies of pleadings.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.180 Waiver and consent.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.552 Voluntary guardianship of property.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.555 Guardianships of minors.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.610 Execution by guardian.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.700 Objection to guardianship reports.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.800(b) Application of revised chapter 744 to existing guardianships.

Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516 Service of pleadings and documents.