Initial New Guardian Checklist

Adapted from Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts' Family/Lay Guardian Training.

• ○Obtain at least one certified copy of the guardianship order. You must keep the original in a secure location. Certified copies can be used to provide proof of your appointment as the guardian to financial institutions, doctors, etc.
• ○Have a copy of the guardianship order readily available. It is recommended to keep a copy of the order in your wallet, vehicle's glove compartment, and/or as a picture on your phone.
• ○Update the court if the person with a guardian's or the guardian's address and phone number is incorrect on the guardianship order.

GUARDIAN OF THE ESTATE

• ○Open a new guardianship account with the bank. Title account as “Name of the person with a guardian’, by ‘guardian’s name’, guardian.” Ensure that only the Social Security number of the person with a guardian is on any guardianship account. If the only income received by the person with a guardian is Social Security benefits and the guardian is the representative payee, a representative payee bank account can be opened instead of a guardianship account.
• ○Obtain Social Security Number and card – obtain a replacement card if needed.
• ○Close any old bank accounts after all direct deposits are changed to the new guardian account.
• ○Change all auto payments for bills to the new guardian account.
• ○Change the person with a guardian's mailing address to the guardian's address.
• ○Determine if the person with a guardian receives or is eligible to receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and/or Social Security Disability Insurance.
• ○Apply for disability benefits if appropriate.
• ○Complete an online application at www.benefitscheckup.org to check on eligible benefits. Once eligible benefits are determined, file applications to receive them.
• ○Complete Social Security Administration form SSA-11-BK to apply to be the representative payee for the person with a guardian.
• ○Once the guardian is appointed as representative payee, contact the Social Security Administration to arrange for direct deposit to a guardianship or representative payee account.
• A representative payee must file an annual report, which is in addition to the annual report(s) required by the court. You will receive the report form in the mail from the Social Security Administration each year. Make sure to keep a copy for your records. The requirement to file an annual report with the Social Security Administration is waived if the representative payee is the spouse or natural/adoptive parent of the person and resides in the same household.