Court Guardianship Monitoring Program

The Guardianship Monitoring Program was established in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit to ensure that all court-appointed guardians adhere to the State of Florida guardianship laws by meeting filing deadlines and providing the most appropriate level of personal and/or financial care to their wards.

The Court Guardianship Monitor (GM) actively investigates allegations of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of wards or the misappropriation of wards’ assets.

The primary roles of the Guardianship Monitor is to complete the following objectives:

• To supplement the auditing that the Clerk does as part of its statutory duties.
• To independently review Guardianship cases to make sure the best interest of the Ward are being met.
• To advise the Court on a regular basis of the status of active Guardianship cases.
• To be a clearinghouse for complaints, requests, and inquiries regarding particular Guardianship cases.

Presiding Judge:

• The Honorable Judge Charles E. Williams is the Presiding Judge for Sarasota County.
• The Honorable Judge Diana L. Moreland is the Presiding Judge for Manatee County.

Along with the Guardianship Monitoring Program, Sarasota County has established a Guardianship Hotline.  The hotline is a toll-free number, where anyone can report concerns regarding any Sarasota County Guardianship case.

(855) 506-0304

Calls to this toll-free hotline can remain anonymous and when sufficient information to proceed is provided, an investigation of the guardianship will be initiated.  If someone prefers to report directly and not use the hotline, you may go to the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Internal Audit Department and Office of the Inspector General, located at 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34236; mail a complaint to P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, FL, 34230; or fax a complaint to (941) 861-5704.

Investigation of Guardianship

The Guardianship Monitoring Program will conduct a detailed investigation of Guardianship case, as a result of the following:

• Complaint or Request by an Outside Party
• Clerk of Court Office Inquiry
• Phone Call, Written Letter, or Anonymous Complaint
• Inquiry by the Court 
• Recommendation by the Guardianship Monitor

If a more detailed inquiry is needed by the Guardianship Monitor, including the financial, medical, or residential information of the ward, the Court will enter an Order Appointing Guardianship Monitor.  The order will allow the Guardianship Monitor to have access to certain records or information not otherwise available without a court order. 

The Guardianship Monitor will then conduct a more inclusive investigation and submit to the Court its’ results, by using the Guardianship Monitor Report.

Guardianship Case Reviews

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court has a dedicated mechanism in place by ordering a 60-day Guardianship Case Review (beginning on the day the Letters of Guardianship are executed) and scheduling a dedicated Court within 60 days.  

The purpose of this system is to ensure that the initial Statutory Compliance has been met regarding the Initial Guardianship Plan and Verified Inventory.  In addition, the Attorney for the ward remains involved in the case.  

After the 60-day Guardianship Review, the Court will schedule an Annual Guardianship Review.  If a subsequent review is needed after the initial and annual court review, it is ordered on a case by case basis.