Washington guardianship reports: the 90-day start and the court-set cycle

Washington’s modern Uniform Guardianship Act (RCW 11.130, effective 2022) replaces fixed statutory intervals with a court-set reporting cycle — 12, 24, or 36 months — always due within 90 days of the appointment anniversary.

1. The first 90 days: plan, inventory, budget

Within 90 days of appointment:

• The guardian files an initial personal care plan (RCW 11.130.340): the adult’s needs, available resources, and the plan to meet them.
• The conservator files an inventory of assets (real estate, personal property, accounts, income, debts, special needs and pooled trust and ABLE accounts) and a proposed budget.

Conservators post a bond with surety unless the court finds one unnecessary (RCW 11.130.445); the initial filing fee is $200 by statute (RCW 36.18.020(2)(f)).

2. The court-set reporting cycle

RCW 11.130.345(1) requires the guardian of an adult to file a report “by the date established by the court.” In practice, the standard form (GDN R 204) implements this as a 12-, 24-, or 36-month reporting cycle checked by the court, with the closing date fixed on the anniversary of appointment and the report due within 90 days of that date. The same form serves both roles: all guardians/conservators complete the general sections, guardians add the condition sections, conservators add the financial sections — with a simplified path where the estate is $2,000 or less and the only income is SSA/SSI/SSD (a representative payee report can substitute).

3. What the report must contain

RCW 11.130.345(2) enumerates the content, notably:

• mental, physical, and social condition; living arrangements during the period;
• supported decision-making, services provided, and the guardian’s opinion of the care’s adequacy;
• a summary of visits with dates; actions taken; the adult’s participation in decisions;
• anything of more than de minimis value the guardian or the guardian’s household received from service providers — a gift-transparency rule aimed at professional guardians;
• business relations between the guardian and anyone paid from the adult’s property;
• deviations from the approved care plan, plans for future care, and a recommendation on continued guardianship.

4. The 14-day notice rule

The report is not just filed — a copy must be provided to the adult and every notice party within 14 days after filing (RCW 11.130.345(4)). Transparency to the family is part of the statutory duty, not a courtesy.

5. Court visitors and monitoring

The court reviews every report to confirm the guardian has complied with the duties and whether the guardianship should continue, and can appoint a court visitor to review reports, interview the guardian or the adult, or investigate (§11.130.345(3)-(5)). Many counties run formal Guardianship Monitoring Programs with clerk support for lay guardians. Untimely or deficient reports surface as allegations on the next report form — and can end in removal.

The Guardian product tracks the anniversary-based cycle and reconciles the financial sections before filing.

FAQ

When is the Washington guardian's report due?

By the date the court establishes (RCW 11.130.345) - on the standard form, reports run on a 12-, 24-, or 36-month cycle with the closing date on the anniversary of appointment, due within 90 days of that date.

What must a Washington guardian file at the start?

Within 90 days of appointment: the guardian files a personal care plan (RCW 11.130.340); the conservator files an inventory of assets and a proposed budget.

Who gets a copy of the report?

The adult subject to guardianship and all notice parties must receive a copy within 14 days after filing (RCW 11.130.345(4)).

What is unusual about Washington's gift disclosure rule?

The report must disclose anything of more than de minimis value that the guardian - or anyone living with the guardian - received from providers serving the adult, a transparency rule aimed at professional guardians' conflicts of interest.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time — confirm the specifics with the court, agency, or a qualified professional.

More guides

• Accounting deadlines by jurisdiction — the reference table including WA.
• The first 90 days as a new guardian — the setup window before the first report.
• Co-guardians: working from one ledger — one shared record for joint filings.

← All guides  ·  Open Guardian →