TERMINATION OF GUARDIANSHIP

(a) Petition for Discharge. When the ward has become sui juris, has terminated a voluntary guardianship, has been restored to capacity, has had all rights restored, or has died, or when the guardian has been unable to locate the ward after diligent search, or, for a guardian of the property, when the property subject to the guardianship has been exhausted, the guardian must file a petition for discharge. A guardian of the person is discharged without further proceeding on filing a certified copy of the ward’s death certificate.

(b) Contents of Petition. The petition for discharge must state:

(1) the reason for termination of the guardianship;

(2) that the guardian has fully administered the guardianship; and

(3) the amount of unpaid and anticipated costs and fees to be paid to the guardian and to the attorneys, accountants, or other agents employed by the guardian.

(c) Final Report. The guardian of the property must promptly file a final report. If the ward has died, the guardian must file the report no later than 45 days after the guardian has been served with letters of administration, letters of curatorship, or an order of summary administration. The report must show receipts, disbursements, amounts reserved for unpaid and anticipated disbursements, costs, and fees, including the amounts set forth in subdivision (b)(3), and other relevant financial information from the date of the previous annual accounting, and a list of the assets to be turned over to the person entitled to them.

(d) Notice. A notice must be served stating:

(1) that any objection must be in writing and must state with particularity each item to which the objection is directed and the grounds on which the objection is based;

(2) that any objection to the final report or the petition for discharge must be filed within 30 days from the date of service of the petition for discharge; and

(3) that within 90 days after filing of the objection, a notice of hearing must be served or the objection is abandoned.

(e) Service. The guardian applying for discharge must serve the petition for discharge and final report on the ward, on the personal representative of a deceased ward, or if there are no assets justifying qualification of a personal representative for the estate of a deceased ward, on the known next of kin of the deceased ward, or other persons as the court may direct; provided however, that a guardian of the property who is subsequently appointed personal representative must serve a copy of the petition for discharge and final report on all beneficiaries of the ward’s estate.

(f) Objections. All persons served have 30 days to file objections to the petition for discharge and final report. The objections must state with particularity the items to which the objections are directed and must state the grounds on which the objections are based. The objections must be served by the objector on the guardian. Any interested person may set a hearing on the objections. Notice of the hearing must be served on the guardian and any other interested persons. If a notice of hearing on the objections is not served within 90 days of filing of the objections, the objections will be deemed abandoned. The guardian may not be discharged until all objections have been withdrawn, abandoned, or judicially resolved, and the petition for discharge of the guardian is granted by the court.

(g) Discharge. The guardian may not be discharged until all objections are withdrawn, abandoned, or judicially resolved. After all objections are withdrawn, abandoned, or judicially resolved, and if it appears that the guardian has paid all amounts reserved to the persons entitled to them and has made full and complete distribution of the ward’s assets to the persons entitled to them and has otherwise faithfully discharged the duties of the guardian, the court must grant the petition for discharge and enter an order of discharge. If objections are filed and are not withdrawn, abandoned, or judicially resolved, the court must conduct a hearing in the same manner as for a hearing on objections to annual guardianship plans. After hearing, if the court is satisfied that the guardian has faithfully discharged the duties of the guardianship and the interests of the ward are protected, and the guardian has rendered a complete and accurate final report and has delivered the assets of the ward to the person entitled to them, the court must enter an order of discharge.