Florida Statute 744.304 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XLIII
DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Chapter 744
GUARDIANSHIP

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F.S. 744.304

744.304 Standby guardianship.—

(1) Upon a petition by the natural guardians or a guardian appointed under s. 744.3021, the court may appoint a standby guardian of the person or property of a minor. The court may also appoint an alternate to the guardian to act if the standby guardian does not serve or ceases to serve after appointment. Notice of a hearing on the petition must be served on the parents, natural or adoptive, and on any guardian currently serving unless the notice is waived in writing by them or waived by the court for good cause shown.

(2) Upon petition of a currently serving guardian, a standby guardian of the person or property of an incapacitated person may be appointed by the court. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the ward’s next of kin.

(3) The standby guardian or alternate shall be empowered to assume the duties of guardianship immediately on the death, removal, or resignation of the guardian of a minor, or on the death or adjudication of incapacity of the last surviving natural guardian of a minor, or upon the death, removal, or resignation of the guardian for an adult. The guardian of the ward’s property may not be empowered to deal with the ward’s property, other than to safeguard it, before issuance of letters of guardianship. If the ward is over the age of 18 years, the court shall conduct a hearing as provided in s. 744.331 before confirming the appointment of the standby guardian, unless the ward has previously been found to be incapacitated.

(4) Within 20 days after assumption of duties as guardian, a standby guardian shall petition for confirmation of appointment. If the court finds the standby guardian to be qualified to serve as guardian under ss. 744.309 and 744.312, appointment of the guardian must be confirmed. Each guardian so confirmed shall file an oath in accordance with s. 744.347, shall file a bond, and shall submit to a credit and a criminal history record check as set forth in s. 744.3135, if required. Letters of guardianship must then be issued in the manner provided in s. 744.345.

(5) After the assumption of duties by a standby guardian, the court shall have jurisdiction over the guardian and the ward.

History.—s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 7, ch. 75-222; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 20, ch. 89-96; s. 11, ch. 90-271; s. 1071, ch. 97-102; s. 6, ch. 2006-178.

Note.—Created from former s. 744.72.

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Amendments to 744.304

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 744.304

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 744.304.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 744.304

Total Results: 6

In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, Florida Rules of Traffic Court, Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2021-10-28

Snippet: Chapter 744, Florida Statutes. However, section 744.304 authorizes the appointment of a standby guardian

In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, Florida Rules of Traffic Court, Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2021-10-28

Snippet: Chapter 744, Florida Statutes. However, section 744.304 authorizes the appointment of a standby guardian

In Re AMENDMENTS TO the FLORIDA PROBATE RULES

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2016-09-15

Citation: 200 So. 3d 761, 41 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 384, 2016 Fla. LEXIS 2037, 2016 WL 4916772

Snippet: Chapter 744, Florida Statutes. However, section 744.304 authorizes the appointment of a standby guardian

In Re Amend. to Florida Probate Rules

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2008-07-10

Citation: 986 So. 2d 576, 33 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 542, 2008 Fla. LEXIS 1242, 2008 WL 2686339

Snippet: Chapter 744, Florida Statutes. However, section 744.304 authorizes the appointment of a standby guardian

In re Amendments to the Florida Probate Rules

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2007-02-01

Citation: 948 So. 2d 735, 32 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 79, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 132, 2007 WL 268753

Snippet: 2006 Revision: New rule. Statutory Reference § 744.304, Fla. Stat. Standby guardianship Rule References

Lusker v. Guardianship of Lusker

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1983-06-03

Citation: 434 So. 2d 951

Snippet: guardianship is section 744.304(1), Florida Statutes (1981), which provides: 744.304 Standby guardianship