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2018 Georgia Code 29-4-53 | Car Wreck Lawyer

Link to State of Georgia Official Statute 2018 Georgia Code Annotated (sourced from legal.resource.org)
O.C.G.A. 29-4-53 Case Law from Google Scholar Amendments to OCGA 29-4-53

TITLE 29 GUARDIAN AND WARD

Section 4. Guardians of Adults, 29-4-1 through 29-4-98.

ARTICLE 6 ALTERNATIVE OR SUCCESSOR GUARDIANS

29-4-53. Breach of fiduciary duty by guardian.

  1. If a guardian commits a breach of fiduciary duty or threatens to commit a breach of fiduciary duty, a ward or an interested person on behalf of the ward shall have a cause of action as appropriate to:
    1. Recover damages;
    2. Compel performance of the guardian's duties;
    3. Enjoin the commission of a breach of fiduciary duty; or
    4. Compel the redress of a breach of fiduciary duty by payment of money or otherwise.
  2. When the ward's assets are misapplied and can be traced into the hands of persons who have notice of the misapplication, a trust shall attach to the assets.
  3. The provision of remedies for breach of fiduciary duty by this Code section does not prevent resort to any other appropriate remedy provided by statute or common law.

(Code 1981, §29-4-53, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.)

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Editor's notes.

- In light of the similarity of the statutory provisions, decisions under former Code 1868, § 1807, former Civil Code 1910, § 3051, former Code 1933, § 49-232, and former O.C.G.A. § 29-2-45 are included in the annotations for this Code section.

Former Code 1933, § 49-232 (former O.C.G.A. § 29-2-45) was to be liberally construed in favor of incompetent ward. Aiken v. Mitchell, 66 Ga. App. 309, 18 S.E.2d 219 (1941) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Former Code 1933, § 49-232 (former O.C.G.A. § 29-2-45) was applicable to guardians of incompetent veterans of World War I and other persons of unsound mind. Dillon v. Sills, 54 Ga. App. 299, 187 S.E. 725 (1936) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Religious belief of guardian does not render guardian unfit to discharge guardianship. Maxey v. Bell, 41 Ga. 183 (1870) (decided under former Civil Code 1910, § 3051).

Suit against guardian for waste permitted if regarding revocation of guardianship.

- Suit by next friend in behalf of ward for waste committed by guardian, or recovery of money in guardian's hands, can be brought only in connection with a proceeding to remove guardian and revoke guardian's letters. Dillon v. Sills, 54 Ga. App. 299, 187 S.E. 725 (1936) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Proceedings are against guardian as an individual, not against estate.

- Proceedings to remove guardian and revoke guardian's letters, under former Code 1933, §§ 49-232, 49-115 or 49-116 (former O.C.G.A. §§ 29-2-45,29-4-14, or29-4-15), were proceedings against guardian as an individual, and not against the estate or trust guardian represents; and where guardian was removed as guardian and guardian's letters revoked, it was proper that guardian appeal therefrom as an individual. Bruce v. Dunn, 52 Ga. App. 758, 184 S.E. 361 (1936) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

On question of removal, interest of ward governs, rather than that of guardian. Morse v. Caldwell, 55 Ga. App. 804, 191 S.E. 479 (1937) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Burden of proof rests upon party attacking guardian's conduct. Dillon v. Sills, 54 Ga. App. 299, 187 S.E. 725 (1936) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Guardian who has been removed may appeal to superior court.

- Where guardian was removed and guardian's letters revoked, upon rule issued by the ordinary (now judge of probate court), under former Code 1933, §§ 49-232, 49-115 or 49-116 (former O.C.G.A. §§ 29-2-45,29-4-14, or29-4-15), after hearing on guardian's answer to such rule, guardian may appeal to superior court. Bruce v. Dunn, 52 Ga. App. 758, 184 S.E. 361 (1936) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Revocation of letters of guardianship.

- Where court of ordinary (now probate court) rendered decision revoking letters of guardianship, an appeal will lie from such decision to superior court, though no issue of fact be involved. Teasley v. Vickery, 133 Ga. 721, 66 S.E. 918 (1910) (decided under former Civil Code 1910, § 3051).

For jurisdiction over removal proceedings where guardian and ward have moved from county of original appointment, see Fouts v. Flythe, 54 Ga. App. 108, 187 S.E. 160 (1936) (decided under former Code 1933, § 49-232).

Guardian's failure to file annual returns was evidence that the guardian's fiduciary duties were breached and such evidence supported removal. Gary v. Weiner, 233 Ga. App. 284, 503 S.E.2d 898 (1998) (decided under former O.C.G.A. § 29-2-45).

Cited in Jennings v. Longino, 49 Ga. App. 494, 176 S.E. 94 (1934); Mitchell v. Mitchell, 201 Ga. 621, 40 S.E.2d 738 (1946).

RESEARCH REFERENCES

Am. Jur. 2d.

- 39 Am. Jur. 2d, Guardian and Ward, §§ 162 et seq., 205 et seq.

C.J.S.

- 39 C.J.S., Guardian and Ward, §§ 4, 78, 80, 81, 255, 256.

ALR.

- Liability of guardian, or his surety, as affected by agreement by which he limits his control over funds or investments, 102 A.L.R. 1108.

Improper handling of funds, investments, or assets as ground for removal of guardian of infant or incompetent, 128 A.L.R. 535.

No results found for Georgia Code 29-4-53.