Nevada Guardian Duties and Bond Requirements

What the Court Expects After Appointment

Getting appointed as guardian is the beginning, not the end. Nevada imposes strict ongoing obligations on guardians under NRS Chapter 159, and failure to meet them can result in removal, financial liability, or contempt of court. The court's oversight is intentionally heavy — guardianship removes another person's civil rights, and the state treats that with corresponding seriousness.

Before you receive the Letters of Guardianship (the document that proves your authority to third parties), you must file a signed Oath of Guardianship and a Guardian's Acknowledgment of Duties and Responsibilities with the court clerk. First-time Letters are issued at no cost; certified copies of previously issued Letters cost $3.

Initial Filing Requirements

Within 60 days of appointment, the guardian must file:

Guardian of the Person — Initial Plan of Care: A detailed plan covering the protected person's medical care, housing, education or employment, social activities, and personal needs. This isn't a one-paragraph summary — the court expects specifics about current arrangements and future plans.

Guardian of the Estate — Initial Inventory and Budget: A comprehensive inventory of every asset the protected person owns — bank accounts, investments, real property, personal property, government benefits — along with a proposed annual budget for how those assets will be managed and spent.

Missing the 60-day deadline can trigger court enforcement, and repeated noncompliance can result in removal as guardian.

The Bond Requirement

For a guardianship of the estate, ask whether the court's appointment order requires a surety bond. A bond, if required, is intended to protect the protected person's assets if the guardian mismanages funds.

The appointment order and current county procedures control the bond amount and whether the court permits a waiver. Confirm those details before accepting appointment.

Do not assume a bond is required, waived, or priced at a standard percentage without checking the appointment order and current county instructions.

If you're also serving as representative payee for SSI, note that the SSA's payee program is separate from court-ordered guardianship and has its own reporting requirements.

Annual Reporting Obligations

Annual Report of the Guardian of the Person: Every year, the guardian of the person must file a report detailing:

• The protected person's current physical and mental health
• Where they live and with whom
• Any medical treatments, hospitalizations, or changes in condition
• Education or employment activities
• Social and recreational activities
• Why guardianship remains necessary and why less restrictive alternatives aren't sufficient (required under SB 346, effective October 2025)

Annual Accounting of the Guardian of the Estate: The guardian of the estate must file a detailed financial accounting of every dollar received and spent on the protected person's behalf during the reporting period. This includes:

• All income received (SSI, SSA benefits, employment income, investment returns)
• All expenditures with descriptions
• Current balances of all accounts
• Any changes in assets (property sold, accounts opened or closed)

The annual accounting triggers a formal court review. The court may schedule a hearing to examine the accounting, and the protected person's court-appointed attorney may object to specific expenditures.

Consequences of Noncompliance

Nevada courts take guardian compliance seriously:

• Failure to file required reports: The court will issue an order to show cause. Continued failure can result in removal as guardian.
• Mismanagement of estate assets: The guardian is personally liable for losses caused by mismanagement. The bonding company may be required to pay, and the guardian faces potential civil suit or criminal charges.
• Failure to act in the protected person's best interests: Any interested party can petition the court to review the guardian's actions. The court can modify the guardianship, restrict the guardian's authority, or appoint a replacement.
• Abuse or neglect: Criminal prosecution under Nevada law, immediate removal, and appointment of a professional guardian or public administrator.

Reducing the Burden Over Time

The annual reporting obligation continues for as long as the guardianship is in place. If the protected person develops greater independence, consider petitioning to modify or terminate the guardianship — this not only restores the protected person's rights but also ends the guardian's reporting obligations.

Transitioning from full guardianship to a combination of less restrictive alternatives — supported decision-making, healthcare POA, and representative payee — eliminates court oversight while maintaining the support your adult child needs. Our Nevada Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide provides the complete framework for evaluating when and how to make this transition.

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