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Fla. Stat. ch. 744 — GUARDIANSHIP · BenchPath

The Florida Statutes

Chapter 744. GUARDIANSHIP

2026 Florida Statutes. Published by The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine).

Florida
Law Library
The Florida Statutes
Title XLIII
Chapter 744

Search the text

Words from the text, or a citation such as § 90.803 or Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.510

Part I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 744.101Short title.
§ 744.1012Legislative intent.
§ 744.102Definitions.
§ 744.1025Additional definitions.
§ 744.104Verification of documents.
§ 744.105Costs.
§ 744.106Notice.
§ 744.107Court monitors.
§ 744.1075Emergency court monitor.
§ 744.1076Court orders appointing court monitors and emergency court monitors; reports of court monitors; orders finding no probable cause; public records exemptions.
§ 744.108Guardian and attorney fees and expenses.
§ 744.109Records.
§ 744.1095Hearings.
§ 744.1096Domicile of ward.
§ 744.1097Venue.
§ 744.1098Change of ward’s residence.

Part II. PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL GUARDIANS

§ 744.2001Office of Public and Professional Guardians.
§ 744.2002Professional guardian registration.
§ 744.2003Regulation of professional guardians; application; bond required; educational requirements.
§ 744.2004Complaints; disciplinary proceedings; penalties; enforcement.
§ 744.20041Grounds for discipline; penalties; enforcement.
§ 744.2005Order of appointment.
§ 744.2006Office of Public and Professional Guardians; appointment, notification.
§ 744.2007Powers and duties.

Part III. TYPES OF GUARDIANSHIP

§ 744.301Natural guardians.
§ 744.3021Guardians of minors.
§ 744.3025Claims of minors.
§ 744.3031Emergency temporary guardianship.
§ 744.304Standby guardianship.
§ 744.3045Preneed guardian.
§ 744.3046Preneed guardian for minor.
§ 744.306Foreign guardians.
§ 744.307

Part IV. GUARDIANS

§ 744.309Who may be appointed guardian of a resident ward.
§ 744.3115Advance directives for health care.
§ 744.312Considerations in appointment of guardian.
§ 744.3125Application for appointment.
§ 744.3135Credit and criminal investigation.
§ 744.3145Guardian education requirements.

Part V. ADJUDICATION OF INCAPACITY ANDAPPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS

§ 744.3201Petition to determine incapacity.
§ 744.3203Suspension of power of attorney before incapacity determination.
§ 744.3215Rights of persons determined incapacitated.
§ 744.331Procedures to determine incapacity.
§ 744.334Petition for appointment of guardian or professional guardian; contents.
§ 744.3371Notice of petition for appointment of guardian and hearing.
§ 744.341Voluntary guardianship.
§ 744.342Minors; guardianship.

Part VI. POWERS AND DUTIES

§ 744.361Powers and duties of guardian.
§ 744.362Initial guardianship report.
§ 744.363Initial guardianship plan.
§ 744.365Verified inventory.
§ 744.367Duty to file annual guardianship report.
§ 744.3675Annual guardianship plan.
§ 744.3678Annual accounting.
§ 744.3679Simplified accounting procedures in certain cases.
§ 744.368

Part VII. TERMINATION

§ 744.464Restoration to capacity.
§ 744.467Resignation of guardian.
§ 744.471Appointment of successor.
§ 744.474Reasons for removal of guardian.
§ 744.477Proceedings for removal of a guardian.
§ 744.511Accounting upon removal.
§ 744.514Surrender of property upon removal.
§ 744.517Proceedings for contempt.
§ 744.521

Part VIII. VETERANS’ GUARDIANSHIP

§ 744.602Short title; scope of part.
§ 744.604Definitions.
§ 744.607Secretary of Veterans Affairs as party in interest.
§ 744.609Procedure for commitment of veteran to United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.
§ 744.613Appointment of guardian for ward authorized.
§ 744.616Petition for appointment of guardian.
§ 744.617Notice by court of petition filed for appointment of guardian.
§ 744.618Persons who may be appointed guardian.

Cited by 37 provisions

Provisions in this library whose text cites Fla. Stat. ch. 744. Each shows the citation as that text prints it.

Florida Probate Rules

Fla. Prob. R. 5.015GENERAL DEFINITIONSPrinted as chapter 744; chapters 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 738, 739, and 744
Fla. Prob. R. 5.696GUARDIAN ACCOUNTINGPrinted as Chapter 744
Fla. Prob. R. 5.800APPLICATION OF REVISED CHAPTER 744 TO EXISTING GUARDIANSHIPSPrinted as chapter 744
Fla. Prob. R. 5.901FORM FOR PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY MODEL FORM FOR USE IN PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY PURSUANT TO FLORIDA PROBATE RULE 5.550Printed as Chapter 744

← Chapter 743 Chapter 747 →

Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.

§ 744.2008Costs of public guardian.

§ 744.2009Preparation of budget.

§ 744.2101Procedures and rules.

§ 744.2102Surety bond.

§ 744.2103Reports and standards.

§ 744.21031Public records exemption.

§ 744.2104Access to records by the Office of Public and Professional Guardians; confidentiality.

§ 744.2105Direct-support organization; definition; use of property; board of directors; audit; dissolution.

§ 744.2106Joining Forces for Public Guardianship grant program; purpose.

§ 744.2107Program administration; duties of the Office of Public and Professional Guardians.

§ 744.2108Eligibility.

§ 744.2109Grant application requirements; review criteria; awards process.

§ 744.2111Confidentiality.

§ 744.2112Guardianship information and transparency.

Foreign guardian may manage the property of nonresident ward.

§ 744.308Resident guardian of the property of nonresident ward.

§ 744.3085Guardian advocates.

§ 744.345

Letters of guardianship.

§ 744.347Oath of guardian.

§ 744.351Bond of guardian.

§ 744.354Validity of bond.

§ 744.357Liability of surety.

§ 744.358Liability of a guardian.

§ 744.359Abuse, neglect, or exploitation by a guardian.

Responsibilities of the clerk of the circuit court.

§ 744.3685Order requiring guardianship report; contempt.

§ 744.369Judicial review of guardianship reports.

§ 744.3701Confidentiality.

§ 744.371Relief to be granted.

§ 744.3715Petition for interim judicial review.

§ 744.372Judicial review of guardianships.

§ 744.3725Procedure for extraordinary authority.

§ 744.373Production of property.

§ 744.3735Annual appearance of the guardian.

§ 744.374Payments to guardian.

§ 744.381Appraisals.

§ 744.384Subsequently discovered or acquired property.

§ 744.387Settlement of claims.

§ 744.391Actions by and against guardian or ward.

§ 744.394Suspension of statutes of limitations in favor of guardian.

§ 744.397Application of income of property of ward.

§ 744.421Petition for support of ward’s dependents.

§ 744.422Petition for support for a dependent adult child.

§ 744.441Powers of guardian upon court approval.

§ 744.442Delegation of authority.

§ 744.4431Guardianship power regarding life-prolonging procedures.

§ 744.444Power of guardian without court approval.

§ 744.446Conflicts of interest; prohibited activities; court approval; breach of fiduciary duty.

§ 744.447Petition for authorization to act.

§ 744.451Order.

§ 744.454Guardian forbidden to borrow or purchase; exceptions.

§ 744.457Conveyance of various property rights by guardians of the property.

§ 744.461Purchasers and lenders protected.

§ 744.462Determination regarding alternatives to guardianship.

Termination of guardianship.

§ 744.524Termination of guardianship on change of domicile of resident ward.

§ 744.527Final reports and application for discharge; hearing.

§ 744.528Discharge of guardian named as personal representative.

§ 744.531Order of discharge.

§ 744.534Disposition of unclaimed funds held by guardian.

§ 744.619

Bond of guardian.

§ 744.621Inventory of ward’s property; guardian’s failure to file inventory; discharge; forfeiture of commissions.

§ 744.622Guardian empowered to receive moneys due ward from the United States Government.

§ 744.624Guardian’s application of estate funds for support and maintenance of person other than ward.

§ 744.625Petition for support, or support and education, of ward’s dependents; payments of apportioned benefits prohibit contempt action against veteran.

§ 744.626Exemption of benefits from claims of creditors.

§ 744.627Investment of funds of estate by guardian.

§ 744.631Guardian’s petition for authority to sell ward’s real estate; notice by publication; penalties.

§ 744.634Guardian’s accounts, filing with court and certification to United States Department of Veterans Affairs; notice and hearing on accounts; failure to account.

§ 744.637Certified copies of public records made available.

§ 744.638Clerk of the circuit court; fees; duties.

§ 744.639Attorney’s fee.

§ 744.641Guardian’s compensation; bond premiums.

§ 744.643Discharge of guardian of minor or incompetent ward.

§ 744.646Final settlement of guardianship; notice required; guardian ad litem fee; papers required by United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

§ 744.649Notice of appointment of general guardian; closing of veteran’s guardianship; transfer of responsibilities and penalties to general guardian.

§ 744.652Construction and application of part.

§ 744.653Annual guardianship report.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.920

FORMS RELATED TO INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT

Printed as chapter 744

The Florida Statutes

§ 27.511, Fla. Stat.Offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel; legislative intent; qualifications; appointment; duties.Printed as chapter 744; chapters 39, 392, 397, 415, 743, 744, and 984; chapters 390, 394, 415, 743, and 744
§ 27.5304, Fla. Stat.Private court-appointed counsel; compensation; notice.Printed as chapter 744
§ 39.013, Fla. Stat.Procedures and jurisdiction; right to counsel; guardian ad litem.Printed as chapter 744
§ 39.5085, Fla. Stat.Relative Caregiver Program.Printed as chapter 744
§ 39.6251, Fla. Stat.Continuing care for young adults.Printed as chapter 744
§ 39.701, Fla. Stat.Judicial review.Printed as chapter 744
§ 44.407, Fla. Stat.Elder-focused dispute resolution process.Printed as chapter 744
§ 61.1255, Fla. Stat.Support for dependent adult children; legislative intent; powers of court.Printed as chapter 744
§ 393.065, Fla. Stat.Application and eligibility determination.Printed as chapter 744
§ 393.12, Fla. Stat.Capacity; appointment of guardian advocate.Printed as chapter 744
§ 394.4598, Fla. Stat.Guardian advocate.Printed as chapter 744
§ 401.45, Fla. Stat.Denial of emergency treatment; civil liability.Printed as chapter 744
§ 402.88, Fla. Stat.Persons with Disabilities Registry; public records exemption.Printed as chapter 744
§ 415.102, Fla. Stat.Definitions of terms used in ss. 415.101-415.113.Printed as chapter 744
§ 415.1051, Fla. Stat.Protective services interventions when capacity to consent is lacking; nonemergencies; emergencies; orders; limitations.Printed as chapter 744
§ 493.6108, Fla. Stat.Investigation of applicants by Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.Printed as chapter 744
§ 501.0051, Fla. Stat.Protected consumer report security freeze.Printed as chapter 744
§ 660.25, Fla. Stat.Definitions.Printed as chapter 744
§ 731.201, Fla. Stat.General definitions.Printed as chapters 736, 738, 739, and 744
§ 739.104, Fla. Stat.Power to disclaim; general requirements; when irrevocable.Printed as chapter 744
§ 740.04, Fla. Stat.Disclosure of digital assets to guardian of ward.Printed as chapter 744
§ 741.403, Fla. Stat.Address confidentiality program; application; certification.Printed as chapter 744
§ 743.08, Fla. Stat.Removal of disabilities of minors; artistic or creative services; professional sports contracts; judicial approval.Printed as chapter 744
§ 743.095, Fla. Stat.Removal of disabilities of minors; artistic or creative services; professional sports contracts; guardianship of the property.Printed as chapter 744
§ 747.034, Fla. Stat.Bond.Printed as chapter 744
§ 747.035, Fla. Stat.Rights, powers, and duties of conservator.Printed as chapter 744
§ 765.101, Fla. Stat.Definitions.Printed as chapter 744
§ 765.1103, Fla. Stat.Pain management and palliative care.Printed as chapter 744
§ 766.104, Fla. Stat.Medical negligence cases; reasonable investigation required before filing.Printed as chapter 744
§ 817.5685, Fla. Stat.Unlawful possession of the personal identification information of another person.Printed as chapter 744
§ 825.103, Fla. Stat.Exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult; penalties.Printed as chapter 744
§ 825.1035, Fla. Stat.Injunction for protection against exploitation of a vulnerable adult.Printed as chapter 744