Guardian Annual Reports & Conservator Accounts
Being appointed is the beginning, not the end. Guardians owe the court a yearly report and conservators owe an inventory and an annual account — we prepare both so they reconcile.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and cannot provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Read full disclaimer
Quick Answer
After a Michigan probate court appoints you, the reporting starts. A guardian generally files an annual report describing the ward's living situation, health, and needs. A conservator generally files an inventory of the protected individual's assets shortly after appointment and then an annual account showing every dollar received and spent, supported by statements. Courts review these filings, and missing them can lead to a show-cause hearing, suspension, or removal. Clear Path prepares these filings from your records so the numbers reconcile and the forms match what your county expects.
Who qualifies for this service?
This document preparation service is a fit for Michigan residents who match the criteria below. If your situation is different, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or whether you should speak with an attorney.
- Guardians whose annual report is due or already late
- Conservators who need to file the initial inventory after appointment
- Conservators preparing an annual account of receipts and disbursements
- Guardians and conservators who received a notice or show-cause order from the court
- Successor guardians and conservators taking over from someone else
- Anyone closing a guardianship or conservatorship who needs a final account
How the process works
Clear, predictable steps from intake to court-ready paperwork.
Tell us what's due
Your case number, county, appointment date, and whether it's a report, inventory, or account.
We review your records
We check the statements and receipts you provide against the period the court is asking about.
Written quote
Flat preparation fee based on the filing and the volume of records. Nothing is purchased online.
Documents prepared
The report, inventory, or account prepared on your county's current probate forms.
Reconciliation check
We confirm the beginning balance, receipts, disbursements, and ending balance actually add up.
Filing and service packet
Who gets a copy, how to file it, and when your next filing is due.
Paperwork we organize for you
Document preparation only. We do not represent you in court.
Documents and information you'll need
- Your probate case number and the county
- The date you were appointed and the letters of authority
- Bank and investment statements for the reporting period
- Records of income received — Social Security, pension, rent, benefits
- Receipts or a list of expenses paid on the person's behalf
- Current information on where the ward lives and their health, for a guardian's report
Common mistakes to avoid
Small errors can cost you weeks. Here's what we see most often.
- Filing an account that doesn't reconcile with the bank statements, which the court will reject.
- Leaving out an asset discovered after the initial inventory instead of filing an amended inventory.
- Paying personal expenses from the protected individual's account, even temporarily.
- Missing the anniversary deadline and waiting for the court to send a notice.
- Failing to serve the report or account on the interested persons entitled to a copy.
- Throwing away receipts and statements — the court can ask for backup at any time.
Local Michigan considerations
Michigan probate courts use the state's PC-series forms for guardianship reports and conservatorship accounts, but counties differ on local cover sheets, review practices, and whether a hearing is set. Some counties audit accounts closely and will send them back over small discrepancies. The safest habit is a separate dedicated account for the protected individual's money, statements kept for the whole period, and a filing submitted on the anniversary rather than after the court's reminder arrives. If you are already behind, say so — courts generally deal with a late filing far better than with no filing.
Key Terms
- Annual report
- A guardian's yearly filing describing the ward's residence, health, services received, and continuing need for a guardian.
- Inventory
- The conservator's list of the protected individual's assets and their values as of the appointment date.
- Annual account
- The conservator's yearly statement of money received and spent on the protected individual's behalf.
- Final account
- The closing account filed when the conservatorship ends, because of death, recovery, or transfer.
- Show-cause order
- A court order requiring a guardian or conservator to appear and explain why a required filing is missing.
People Also Ask
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Ready to get your paperwork started?
Start the guided intake, or call or text us — we review every matter before quoting a price, and nothing is purchased online.