At Phinney Estate Law we regularly represent friends and family members petitioning to become or serving as court appointed Guardians. Because these people are serving as guardian for less than three people they are not required to be certified by the court and are referred to as "Lay Guardians." Because of concern that lay guardians, especially those not represented by counsel, may fail to do all they are required to do in their position, the legislature has passed new rules for lay guardians that go into effect July 22, 2011.
The most significant of these new rules require that lay guardians have "expiring letters" meaning that the letter that gives them authority has an expiration date and must be renewed by filing the required annual or tri-annual reports. King County and Snohomish County has already had this requirement for many years so guardians serving there will not see a change.
Another significant changes is that all lay guardians will be required to take an online video training about their responsibilities. This new training is different that the video training already offered in King and Spokane County. All new guardians will need to do the training before they are appointed and all serving guardians will need to retake it every time they submit their annual or tri-annual reports.
There are other changes to court forms and 90 day reports but these are very similar to what is already done in King and Snohomish County and so should not be a change for guardians serving in these counties.
All current PEL clients serving as Guardians will receive instructions about these new rules and how to comply. If you are not a current client and have questions about these new rules and how they will impact you, please contact us at [email protected] or (206) 459-1908.
The most significant of these new rules require that lay guardians have "expiring letters" meaning that the letter that gives them authority has an expiration date and must be renewed by filing the required annual or tri-annual reports. King County and Snohomish County has already had this requirement for many years so guardians serving there will not see a change.
Another significant changes is that all lay guardians will be required to take an online video training about their responsibilities. This new training is different that the video training already offered in King and Spokane County. All new guardians will need to do the training before they are appointed and all serving guardians will need to retake it every time they submit their annual or tri-annual reports.
There are other changes to court forms and 90 day reports but these are very similar to what is already done in King and Snohomish County and so should not be a change for guardians serving in these counties.
All current PEL clients serving as Guardians will receive instructions about these new rules and how to comply. If you are not a current client and have questions about these new rules and how they will impact you, please contact us at [email protected] or (206) 459-1908.
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