Guardian Trust

Travis Finchum will be presenting at the January Probate and Guardianship Annual Update on January 23, 2015 sponsored by the Clearwater Bar Association and the St. Petersburg Bar Association.  He will participate in a panel entitled: Trust Account Distribution: Mock Discretionary Committee Meeting.   You can learn more about the program and register by clicking HERE .  The panel will discuss difficult decisions trustees sometimes need to make regarding discretionary trusts and the program will incorporate interaction and participation of the audience.

Proposed Guardianship Bill for 2015 Florida Legislative Session. House Bill 0005 has been introduced by Representative Passidomo.  The Bill is a product of a workgroup that consisted of attorneys and professionals familiar with some of the common problems with our current guardianship process.  The link to the proposed Bill can be found by clicking HERE .  While it is still very early in the process (the Bill has not been vetted through committees yet) this Bill seems to enjoy wide support and is likely to have legs this next session.  Here is the legislative summary of the Bill:  Provides that fees & costs incurred by ward's attorney in compensation proceedings are payable from guardianship assets; authorizes court to appoint guardian ad litem to protect minor's interests; provides for confidentiality in settlement of minor's claim; requires notification of incapacitated person & attorney before hearing on appointment of emergency temporary guardian; p