2023 Indiana Code › Title 29. Probate › Article 3. Guardianships and Protective Proceedings › Chapter 7. Qualification and Bonding Requirements for Guardians › 29-3-7-1. Guardian's Bond; Amount; Collateral in Lieu of Sureties on Bond; Reduced Bonds

Sec. 1. (a) Unless the court finds that a bond is unnecessary and enters an order to that effect, or unless the appointed guardian is a bank or trust company (as defined in IC 28-1-1-3), a guardian must execute and file a bond relating to the duties of the guardian's office. Unless otherwise directed by the court, the bond must be in an amount that is not less than the amount determined under STEP THREE of the following STEPS:
STEP ONE: Enter the aggregate value of the guardianship property.
STEP TWO: Add to the amount entered under STEP ONE one (1) year's estimated income.
STEP THREE: From the sum determined under STEP TWO subtract the value of any property that the guardian, by express limitation of power, lacks the power to sell, convey, or encumber without a court order.
(b) The court, instead of sureties on a bond, may accept other collateral for the performance of the bond, including a pledge of securities or a mortgage of the land.
(c) The court may fix the bond at an amount less than that provided under subsection (a), but the amount fixed must, in the court's opinion, provide adequate protection to the property of the protected person. In fixing a reduced bond, the court may do any of the following:
(1) Direct the guardian to invest all, or a part of, the property subject to the guardian's control in:
(A) stocks, bonds, or other securities of any corporation, public or private, which are listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Midwest Stock Exchange, the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, or any other exchange regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission; or
(B) securities that are obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States.
(2) Direct the guardian to place all, or a part of, the property subject to the guardian's control in a savings account. However, the court may require property to be held in a manner that requires either the joint authorization of the guardian and the guardian's surety or an order of the court to remove the funds from the account.
(3) Direct the guardian to transfer all, or a part of, the property subject to the guardian's control to a bank or trust company organized under the laws of Indiana or of the United States and operating a bank or trust company located within Indiana to administer the estate as an agent for the guardian.
(4) Direct the guardian to:
(A) transfer any or all stocks, bonds, and securities subject to the guardian's control only after obtaining an order of the court directing the transfer; and
(B) require that notice of this restriction on the transfer of such stocks, bonds, and securities be placed upon the certificates evidencing those stocks, bonds, and securities.
(5) Direct the guardian to comply with all, part, or any combination of the requisites specified in subdivisions (1) through (4).
(6) Direct the guardian to take any other action that the court determines necessary to provide adequate protection to the property of the protected person.
As added by P.L.169-1988, SEC.1.