reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 29-7-7 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-7. Petitioning for Appointment of Va Guardian; Requirements of Petitions; Preferences for Appointment

  A petition for the appointment of a VA guardian may be filed in the court having jurisdiction by or on behalf of the department or any person designated by the secretary or the secretary's representative.   The petition shall set forth:   The name, age, and place of residence of the ward;   The names and places of residence of the nearest two adult relatives, if known;   The fact that the ward is entitled to receive moneys payable by or through the department;   The amount of money then due and the amount of probable future payments;   The name and address of the person or institution, if any, having actual custody of the ward;   In the case of a mentally incompetent ward, that the ward has been rated incompetent on examination by the department in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the department; and   The name and address of the person or institution sought to be appointed as VA guardian of the ward and the relationship, if any, of the proposed VA guardian to the ward.     Preferences for appointment of a VA guardian shall be as provided in Code Section 29-5-3.     (Code 1981, §29-7-7, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-8 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-8. Qualifications of Va Guardian

 Before making an appointment under this chapter, the court hearing the petition shall be satisfied that the VA guardian whose appointment is sought is a fit and proper person to be appointed. The nomination of a person by the department shall be prima-facie evidence of the person's fitness. A qualified individual shall ordinarily be preferred for appointment as VA guardian, but the court may, in the court's discretion, appoint any qualified person as VA guardian.    (Code 1981, §29-7-8, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-9 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-9. Individuals or Entities Eligible to Serve as Va Guardians; Discharge or Guardian; Requirements Pending Discharge

  The following persons and entities may serve as VA guardians subject to the restrictions listed:   An individual deemed fit and proper by the court may be a VA guardian of that individual's children, parents, and grandparents without limitation;   A bank or trust company doing business in this state may serve as a VA guardian under this chapter for an unlimited number of beneficiaries;   A person appointed while serving as county guardian in any county in this state may serve as a VA guardian under this chapter for an unlimited number of beneficiaries; or   Any other person, provided that any person who is currently serving as the VA guardian for ten or more wards must so state in that person's petition to be appointed as the VA guardian for additional wards, and provided, further, the department shall have the right to direct the court in writing to deny the petition.     Upon presentation of a petition by the department alleging that the VA guardian is acting in a fiduciary capacity in violation of this Code section and requesting the discharge of that VA guardian, the court upon proof substantiating the petition shall:   Require a final accounting immediately from a sufficient number of VA guardianships, in reverse chronological order, to bring the VA guardian within compliance of this Code section;   Require final settlements of accounts immediately on the VA guardianships described in paragraph (1) of this subsection; and   Discharge the VA guardian in cases as the court deems proper.       (Code 1981, §29-7-9, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-10 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-10. Bond Requirements; Discharge of Surety on Bond

  A bank or trust company doing business in this state shall not be required to file a bond for any VA guardianship unless required by the department.   Any other person serving as a VA guardian shall execute and file a bond, to be approved by the court, in an amount not less than the sum of the value of the estate, other than real property, at the time of the last accounting and funds estimated to become payable during the ensuing year, which bond shall be a security bond made by a solvent and acceptable surety company in the form required for bonds of guardians or conservators appointed under the general guardianship or conservatorship laws and shall be conditioned as are such bonds. After each annual accounting, the court shall review the amount of the bond and shall order such increase or decrease as shall be warranted by the accounting. No reduction in the bond amount shall affect the liability of the surety for past waste or misconduct of the VA guardian.   A surety on a bond posted pursuant to this Code section shall not be relieved from liability merely because of the expiration of the term of the bond but shall be subject to provisions of law for discharge of a surety applicable to other bonds.     (Code 1981, §29-7-10, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-11 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-11. Investment of Surplus Funds

 Every VA guardian shall invest the surplus funds of the ward's estate in such securities or property as authorized under the laws of this state but only upon prior order of the court; except that the funds may be invested, without prior court authorization, in direct unconditional interest-bearing obligations of this state or of the United States or in obligations the interest and principal of which are unconditionally guaranteed by the United States. A signed duplicate or certified copy of the petition for authority to invest surplus funds shall be furnished the proper area office of the department, and notice of hearing on the petition shall be given said office in the case of a VA guardian's account.    (Code 1981, §29-7-11, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-12 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-12. Expenditure of Ward's Estate; Insurance; Title to New Property

  A VA guardian shall not apply any portion of the estate of the ward for the support, maintenance, or education of any person other than the ward, the ward's spouse, and the children of the ward who are legally dependent on the ward, except upon order of the court after a hearing, notice of which has been given by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the department not less than 30 days prior to a hearing on the petition, unless the department consents in writing to the petition, in which case no hearing need be had.   No VA guardian shall name himself or herself as beneficiary of any insurance policy which insures the life of the ward. As to any insurance policy that is purchased after establishment of the VA guardianship where premiums are or have been paid from benefits, the VA guardian shall ensure that the beneficiary named is the estate of the ward.   All property of a ward having a VA guardian which is purchased with benefits shall be titled in the name of the current VA guardian or any successor VA guardian for (name of ward), a beneficiary of the department, further indicating the fact of VA guardianship and the name of the beneficiary on any documents of title. Any such assets which should be prudently insured shall be insured with a policy of insurance denominated in the same manner.     (Code 1981, §29-7-12, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-13 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-13. Annual Accounting Requirements

 Every VA guardian shall file with the court annually, in the same manner as provided under the general law for conservators, a full, true, and accurate accounting, on oath, of all moneys received by the VA guardian and disbursements of all moneys, showing the balance in the VA guardian's hands at the date of the accounting and how it is invested. The VA guardian shall list in each accounting all the investments of the ward's funds, showing the amount of each investment, the date made, the interest rate, the date of maturity, the dates and amounts of any liquidations, and the dates and amounts of interest payments. A certified copy of each of accounting filed with the court shall be sent by the court within ten days after the accounting is filed to the office of the department having jurisdiction over the area in which the court is located. Each accounting shall include a computation of commissions allowed and taken during the period covered by the accounting. No accounting shall be allowed or admitted to record for a period of 60 days following the date of filing the accounting.    (Code 1981, §29-7-13, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-14 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-14. Failure to File an Annual Accounting

 If any VA guardian fails to file the accounting required by Code Section 29-7-13, the failure shall be grounds for removal. If any VA guardian fails to file any accounting within 30 days after demand is made by the court to do so, the court shall notify the surety for the VA guardian of the failure by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery. Thereafter, on motion of any interested party, including the surety, or on its own motion, the court may enter an order removing the VA guardian without further notice or hearing. Every VA guardian who fails or refuses to file the accounting by the due date shall receive no commission or compensation for any service during that year unless by special order of the court the VA guardian is exonerated from all fault.    (Code 1981, §29-7-14, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-15 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-15. Compensation for Guardian; Reimbursement for Premium on Bond

  As compensation for service, a VA guardian shall earn a commission of 5 percent on all income of the ward coming into the VA guardian's hands during any months while the VA guardian serves. If the ward receives at least $350.00 per month, the minimum fee shall be $35.00 per month.   In the event the ward's monthly service connected disability compensation payment from the department is discontinued or suspended, the VA guardian, subject to court approval which shall be given unless it appears to the court that the estate is unfairly prejudiced or the payment would be a manifest injustice, shall be entitled to 5 percent additional commission on all sums paid out by the VA guardian from the time the disability compensation payment is discontinued or suspended until the time the disability compensation payment is resumed.   In the event that extraordinary services are rendered by the VA guardian, the court, upon petition and after hearing thereon, may authorize additional compensation payable from the estate of the ward. Notice of the petition and hearing shall be given by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the department office having jurisdiction over the area in which the ward resides not less than 30 days prior to the hearing on the petition. No compensation shall be allowed on the corpus of an estate received from a previous VA guardian.   A VA guardian shall be allowed to pay from the ward's estate reasonable premiums for any corporate surety on the VA guardian's bond.     (Code 1981, §29-7-15, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1; Ga. L. 2006, p. 805, § 18/SB 534.)
GA Code § 29-7-16 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-16. Discharge of Va Guardian; Role of County Guardian

  A VA guardian, upon filing a petition and making satisfactory accounting, shall be discharged when the ward dies, reaches the age of majority, or is declared competent by the department or the court.   A county guardian who ceases to serve as county guardian continues to serve as a VA guardian at the pleasure of the court for which the VA guardian formerly served as county guardian. The court may at any time require the VA guardian's final accounting and discharge as to any or all VA guardianships which the VA guardian accepted as county guardian, whereupon the court shall appoint as successor VA guardian the new county guardian or other person as shall be requested by the department. A former county guardian may file a petition with the court, a copy of which shall be served by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery upon the area office of the department, together with the VA guardian's final accounting, as to any or all VA guardianships; whereupon the court shall appoint as the VA guardian's successor the new county guardian or other person as shall be designated by the department.     (Code 1981, §29-7-16, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-17 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-17. Application of Other Laws; Right to Appeal

 Except where inconsistent with this chapter, the general guardianship and conservatorship laws of this state and the laws establishing the practice in such matters, including the rights of appeal, shall be applicable to wards and their estates governed by this chapter.    (Code 1981, §29-7-17, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-7-18 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 7 - Veterans Affairs Guardians|§ 29-7-18. Construction

 This chapter shall be construed liberally to secure the beneficial intents and purposes thereof and shall apply only to beneficiaries of the department who are entitled to benefits from the department.    (Code 1981, §29-7-18, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-8-1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 8 - County Guardians|§ 29-8-1. County Administrators as Ex Officio County Guardians

 County administrators as provided for in Article 5 of Chapter 6 of Title 53 are ex officio county guardians and shall serve as guardians or conservators in all cases where appointed by the court.    (Code 1981, §29-8-1, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1; Ga. L. 2011, p. 752, § 29/HB 142.)
GA Code § 29-8-2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 8 - County Guardians|§ 29-8-2. Bond Requirements

 In addition to the bond required in Code Section 53-6-41, county guardians shall give another bond with good security, to be judged by the court, in the sum of $5,000.00. The bond shall be payable to the court for the benefit of all concerned. It shall be attested by the judge or clerk of the court and shall be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the county guardian's duty as such, as required by law. Actions on the bond may be brought by any person aggrieved by the misconduct of the county guardian, as provided by law for actions on the bonds of other guardians.    (Code 1981, §29-8-2, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1; Ga. L. 2011, p. 752, § 29/HB 142.)
GA Code § 29-8-3 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 8 - County Guardians|§ 29-8-3. Letters of Guardianship or Conservatorship; Liability and Rights of County Guardian

 The court shall grant to the county guardian separate letters of guardianship or conservatorship upon each appointment. The county guardian shall be subject to all liabilities and entitled to all the rights and emoluments provided for other guardians or conservators and shall be governed by the law provided for other guardians or conservators.    (Code 1981, §29-8-3, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-8-4 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 8 - County Guardians|§ 29-8-4. Additional Security on Bond

  If in the opinion of the court it shall become necessary for the good of any conservatorship placed or about to be placed in the hands of the county guardian for the county guardian to give additional security on the bond or to give additional bond with security, the court shall have the authority to fix the amount of the bond and shall cite the county guardian to appear and show cause, if any, why the additional bond or additional security should not be given.   If upon the hearing the county guardian fails to show good cause why the additional bond or additional security should not be given, the court shall issue an order fixing the amount of the bond and direct the county guardian to give additional security on or before a certain date, which date shall be within 30 days of the date of the order.   Should the county guardian fail, refuse, or neglect to give additional bond or additional security on or before the date fixed in the order of the court and fail to show good cause why further time should be allowed, it shall be the duty of the court to remove the county guardian and to appoint another county guardian for the unexpired term of office. The order of removal shall be recorded as provided for the order of appointment.     (Code 1981, §29-8-4, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-8-5 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 8 - County Guardians|§ 29-8-5. Revocation of Letters of Guardianship or Conservatorship or Other Court Orders Necessary for Good of Ward

 The court may, for good cause shown, as provided in Code Section 29-5-92, revoke the letters of guardianship or conservatorship of the county guardian, require additional security on the county guardian's bond, or issue any other order as is expedient and necessary for the good of any particular conservatorship in the hands of the county guardian.    (Code 1981, §29-8-5, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1; Ga. L. 2006, p. 805, § 19/SB 534.)
GA Code § 29-9-1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 9 - Court Proceedings|§ 29-9-1. Application of Chapter

 Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to any proceeding in the court that arises under this title. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be sufficient for proceedings in the court arising under this title, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 11 of Title 9, Chapter 9 of Title 15, and Chapter 11 of this title.    (Code 1981, §29-9-1, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1; Ga. L. 2019, p. 693, § 24/HB 70.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective January 1, 2020, substituted "Title 9, Chapter 9 of Title 15, and Chapter 11 of this title" for "Title 9 and Chapter 9 of Title 15" at the end of the second sentence of this Code section.
GA Code § 29-9-4 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 9 - Court Proceedings|§ 29-9-4. Personal Service; Procedure

  Except as otherwise provided by law, a party in interest who is a resident of this state is entitled to personal service of any petition and citation for proceedings that are subject to the provisions of this chapter.   Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, personal service shall be made by delivery of a copy of the petition and citation by the sheriff or some other lawful officer at least ten days before the hearing except that, if waived in writing, the ten-day provision shall not apply. An entry of service shall be made on the original and the copy for the party served.   A party who is in the military service may be served by any commissioned officer who shall file with the court a certificate stating that copies of the petition and citation were served in person.   Individuals who are not sui juris shall be served as provided in this chapter or as provided in Code Section 15-9-17.   When personal service is required by this Code section, unless otherwise directed by the court, service may be made by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery if the petitioner so requests in the petition. The court shall cause a copy of the petition and the citation to be sent by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery with return receipt requested and with delivery restricted to addressee only. If the return receipt is not signed by the addressee, dated at least ten days before the date specified in the citation, and received by the court before the date specified in the citation for the filing of objections, service shall be made as otherwise required by this Code section.     (Code 1981, §29-9-4, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-9-5 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 9 - Court Proceedings|§ 29-9-5. Service Upon Current Residence Addresses; Service by Publication

  Except as otherwise provided by law or directed by the probate judge pursuant to Code Section 29-9-6, the provisions of this Code section shall apply in cases when a person to be served has a known current residence address outside this state or whose current address is unknown.   Unless all persons have known current residence addresses, the court shall order service to be perfected by publication of the citation in the newspaper in which the sheriff's advertisements are published in the county in which the petition is filed. The citation shall be published once a week for four weeks prior to the date on which objections must be filed. The records of the court shall show the persons notified and the character of the notice given. The published citation shall be directed to the person to be served.   If the current residence address of a person is known, service shall be made by mailing by first-class mail a copy of the petition and the citation.   When service by publication is ordered pursuant to this Code section, compliance with the provisions of this Code section relating to a person to be notified who is known but whose current residence address is unknown shall be equivalent to personal service of a copy of the petition and citation when the fact appears in the records of the court showing the persons notified and the character of the notice given. In the case of a known person whose current residence address is unknown, that person's name shall appear in the records of the court, and the records shall show service by publication as to that person in compliance with this Code section. In any case in which service by publication is granted, one order for publication shall be sufficient and the published citation shall be directed as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section.     (Code 1981, §29-9-5, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)
GA Code § 29-9-6 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 29 - Guardian and Ward|Chapter 9 - Court Proceedings|§ 29-9-6. Service Upon Conservator or Guardian

 If one or more unsuccessful attempts at personal service are made by the sheriff or deputy upon a conservator or guardian appointed in this state at the last known address of the conservator or guardian that appears in the court records and it appears to the court that further attempts are likely to be futile, then service shall be sufficient upon the conservator or guardian if the citation is mailed by first-class mail to the last known address of the conservator or guardian.    (Code 1981, §29-9-6, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)