Washington Lay Guardian Duties: Training, Reports, and the 90-Day Care Plan

The Appointment Is Only the Beginning

Most families pour their energy into the guardianship petition — researching forms, preparing for the Court Visitor, surviving the hearing. Then the court grants the order, and a new reality sets in: lay guardian duties in Washington carry strict, ongoing compliance requirements with real deadlines and real consequences for missing them.

Under Chapter 11.130 RCW (the UGCOPAA), every non-professional guardian must complete mandatory training, file a detailed care plan within 90 days, and submit periodic reports to the court for as long as the guardianship remains active. Falling behind on any of these obligations can trigger court review, sanctions, or removal.

Here is the full compliance calendar, step by step.

The 14-Day Deadline: Notice of Rights

Within 14 days of appointment, you must serve the adult subject to guardianship — and every person who received notice of the original petition — with a copy of the appointment order and a completed Notice of Rights (Form GDN C 105). This form explains the individual's right to object, request a modification, or petition for termination.

Keep your proof of service. If a future dispute arises about whether the individual understood their rights, the court will look for this document first.

Mandatory Lay Guardian Training (90 Days)

Under RCW 11.130.090, all non-professional guardians must complete the free online training hosted on the Washington Courts Guardian Portal. The training covers fiduciary duties, reporting obligations, promoting self-determination, and recognizing when less-restrictive alternatives might replace the guardianship.

After completing the modules, you sign a Declaration of Completion of Training and file it with the superior court — all within 90 days of your appointment date. Missing this deadline does not automatically void the guardianship, but it flags your case for court review, and a judge can issue an order to show cause asking why you should remain as guardian.

The 90-Day Care Plan (Form GDN R 202)

Separately from the training, you must file a Guardian/Conservator Plan (Form GDN R 202) within 90 days. This is the document the court uses to evaluate whether you have a concrete strategy for the individual's wellbeing. The plan must address:

• Living arrangements — where the person lives and why that setting serves their needs
• Medical care — current providers, medications, and how healthcare decisions are being made
• Self-determination — specific steps you are taking to promote the individual's independence and decision-making participation
• Social and community life — how you are supporting relationships, activities, and community engagement
• Education and employment — any applicable transition planning, vocational programs, or continuing education

A vague or generic care plan invites scrutiny. Courts want specifics: named providers, scheduled appointments, and measurable goals. If you are coordinating with DDA or a school district's transition program, reference those agencies by name and note the contact person.

Annual (or Periodic) Reports on Form GDN R 204

After the initial 90-day plan, the court will set a reporting schedule — typically annual, though some counties order biennial or triennial reports depending on case complexity. You file each report on Form GDN R 204, the Guardian/Conservator's Report.

The GDN R 204 requires you to document:

• The individual's current residence and any changes since the last report
• A summary of medical care, hospitalizations, and medication changes
• Activities, employment, social interactions, and community involvement
• Any significant incidents or behavioral concerns
• Whether the current level of guardianship remains necessary, or whether a less restrictive arrangement would now serve the individual

King County's Local Court Rule 98.20 requires these reports within 90 days of the appointment anniversary. Other counties follow similar timelines, though exact deadlines vary by local rule. Check your county's specific filing calendar at the county clerk's website.

What Happens When You Miss a Deadline

Courts take lay guardian compliance seriously. If you miss a training completion deadline, a care plan filing, or a periodic report, the court may:

• Issue an order to show cause requiring you to appear and explain the delay
• Appoint a Court Visitor to investigate the current situation
• Impose sanctions or, in serious cases, remove you as guardian and appoint a professional fiduciary

The most common compliance failure is the annual report. Life gets busy, and the paperwork feels repetitive after the first year. But each missed report creates a gap in the court's oversight record, and gaps invite deeper investigation. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your report anniversary to begin gathering information.

Using the Washington Courts Guardian Portal

The Lay Guardian Toolkit on the Washington Courts website is the best single resource for ongoing compliance. It includes downloadable versions of all required forms, links to the online training modules, and plain-language explanations of each filing requirement.

The portal also covers topics many new guardians overlook: how to handle the individual's personal property, when you need court permission to make major decisions (like moving the individual out of state), and how to report concerns about abuse or neglect by third parties.

When to Ask for Help

If the guardianship involves significant assets, contested decisions among family members, or medical situations where the individual's wishes conflict with what you believe is safest, consult a probate attorney. Lay guardians have the same fiduciary obligations as professional guardians — the "lay" designation does not reduce your legal exposure if something goes wrong.

For families who planned carefully before the guardianship appointment, many of these post-appointment duties are already accounted for. Our Washington Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide walks through the full compliance timeline as part of its pro-se court filing module, so nothing catches you off guard after the order is signed.

The Bottom Line

Becoming a lay guardian in Washington means committing to an ongoing relationship with the court system — training within 90 days, a care plan within 90 days, and periodic reports for the duration of the guardianship. These duties exist to protect the individual under guardianship, and taking them seriously is both a legal obligation and a practical safeguard against removal.

If you are considering whether guardianship is the right path, the complete guide can help you evaluate less-restrictive alternatives first, potentially avoiding these post-appointment obligations entirely.

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