Wisconsin Guardian Annual Report: What to File and When

Winning a guardianship appointment in Wisconsin is not the finish line — it's the start of a lifelong reporting relationship with the probate court. Every year by April 15, you're required to file documents proving you're fulfilling your duties as guardian. Miss the deadline, and you're looking at court sanctions, personal liability for costs, or removal from your role.

What You Need to File

The annual filings depend on which type of guardian you are:

Guardian of the Person — File the Annual Report on the Condition of the Ward (Form GN-3480). This covers:

• The ward's current living situation and any changes
• Physical and mental health status
• Medical treatments and providers
• Social activities and community involvement
• Any incidents requiring medical attention or law enforcement
• Whether the current guardianship level is still appropriate

Guardian of the Estate — File the Account of Guardian (Form GN-3500). This is a detailed financial accounting that includes:

• All income received during the reporting period (SSI, SSDI, wages, interest)
• All expenditures paid from the ward's assets (housing, food, medical, personal)
• Current balance of all accounts
• Value of real property and other assets
• Any changes in the ward's financial situation

If you're guardian of both the person and the estate, you file both forms.

The 60-Day Inventory Requirement

Before your first annual report, there's an initial filing obligation. Within 60 days of appointment, guardians of the estate must file a Guardianship Inventory (Form GN-3440) listing every asset the ward owns — bank accounts, real property, vehicles, personal property, benefit payments, and any debts.

This inventory triggers a filing fee under § 814.66: a flat $20 for estates valued at $50,000 or less, or 0.2% of the net estate value for estates over $50,000.

What Happens If You Don't File

The court takes non-compliance seriously:

• Warning letters — Most counties send a reminder before the deadline and a warning after
• Court hearing — If reports remain unfiled, the Register in Probate may schedule a hearing to show cause
• Personal liability — You can be held personally responsible for court costs associated with the delinquency
• Removal — Persistent non-compliance is grounds for the court to remove you as guardian and appoint a replacement

County practices vary. Some counties (like Dane) have dedicated guardianship administrators who track filing compliance actively. Others rely on the Register in Probate to flag delinquent reports. Regardless of how proactive your county is, the legal obligation is the same statewide.

Tips for Keeping Records

The best way to make annual reports manageable is to track expenses throughout the year rather than scrambling in March:

• Keep a dedicated bank account for the ward's funds (separate from your personal accounts)
• Save all receipts — the court can request documentation for any expenditure
• Note any medical visits, hospitalizations, or living situation changes as they happen
• If the ward receives SSI, track those payments separately from other income

For the complete post-appointment compliance framework — inventory, annual reports, real property filings, and bond requirements — the Wisconsin Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes filing checklists and a compliance calendar.

See more Wisconsin guides →