RCW 11.88.127 Guardianship—Incapacitated person—Letters of guardianship. (Effective until January 1, 2021.)

(1) A guardian or limited guardian may not act on behalf of the incapacitated person without valid letters of guardianship. Upon appointment and fulfilling all legal requirements to serve, as set forth in the court's order, the clerk shall issue letters of guardianship to a guardian or limited guardian appointed by the court. All letters of guardianship must be in the following form, or a substantially similar form:

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE

STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE

COUNTY OF  . . . . . . . . .

IN THE MATTER OF THE

GUARDIANSHIP OF

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Guardianship Cause No.  . . . . . . . .

Incapacitated Person

LETTERS OF

GUARDIANSHIP OR LIMITED GUARDIANSHIP

Date letters expire

. . . .

THESE LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP PROVIDE OFFICIAL VERIFICATION OF THE FOLLOWING:

On the . . . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . ., 20 . . . . the Court appointed . . . . . . . . . . .to serve as:

□ Guardian of the Person□ Full□ Limited

□ Guardian of the Estate□ Full□ Limited

for . . . . . . . . . . . ., the incapacitated person, in the above referenced matter.

The Guardian has fulfilled all legal requirements to serve, including, but not limited to: Taking and filing the oath; filing any bond consistent with the court's order; filing any blocked account agreement consistent with the court's order; and appointing a resident agent for a nonresident guardian.

The Court, having found the Guardian duly qualified, now makes it known . . . . . . . . . is authorized as the Guardian for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . designated in the Court's order as referenced above.

The next filing and reporting deadline in this matter is on the . . . day of . . . . . . ., . . . . . ..

THESE LETTERS ARE NO LONGER VALID ON . . . . . . . . . .

These letters can only be renewed by a new court order. If the court grants an extension, new letters will be issued.

This matter is before the Honorable . . . . . . . . of Superior Court, the seal of the Court being affixed

this . . . . of . . . . . . . ..

State of Washington)

) ss.

County of . . . . . . . . .)

I, . . . . . . . ., Clerk of the Superior Court of said County and State, certify that this document represents true and correct Letters of Guardianship in the above entitled case, entered upon the record on this . . . . . . . day of . . . . . ., . . . ..

These Letters remain in full force and effect until the date of expiration set forth above.

The seal of Superior Court has been affixed and witnessed by my hand this . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . . ., . . . ..

. . . . . . . . . ., Clerk of Superior Court

By . . . . . . . ., Deputy

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Signature of Deputy)

(2) The court shall order the clerk to issue letters of guardianship that are valid for a period of up to five years from the anniversary date of the appointment. When determining the time period for which the letters will be valid, the court must consider: The length of time the guardian has been serving the incapacitated person; whether the guardian has timely filed all required reports with the court; whether the guardian is monitored by other state or local agencies; and whether there have been any allegations of abuse, neglect, or a breach of fiduciary duty against the guardian.

[ 2011 c 329 § 6.]