2020 Indiana Code
Title 29. Probate
Article 3. Guardianships and Protective Proceedings
Chapter 12. Termination of Guardianships and Protective Orders
29-3-12-1. Termination of Guardianship; Effect of Termination on Guardianship Powers; Powers of Guardian After Death of Protected Person

Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in section 6 or 7 of this chapter, the court shall terminate the guardianship of a minor upon:

(1) the minor's attaining eighteen (18) years of age; or

(2) the minor's death.

The court may terminate the guardianship of a minor upon the minor's adoption or marriage.

(b) The court shall terminate the guardianship of an incapacitated person upon:

(1) adjudication by the court that the protected person is no longer an incapacitated person; or

(2) the death of the protected person.

(c) The court may terminate any guardianship if:

(1) the guardianship property does not exceed the value of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500);

(2) the guardianship property is reduced to three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500);

(3) the domicile or physical presence of the protected person is changed to another state and a guardian has been appointed for the protected person and the protected person's property in that state; or

(4) the guardianship is no longer necessary for any other reason.

(d) When a guardianship terminates otherwise than by the death of the protected person, the powers of the guardian cease, except that the guardian may pay the claims and expenses of administration that are approved by the court and exercise other powers that are necessary to complete the performance of the guardian's trust, including payment and delivery of the remaining property for which the guardian is responsible:

(1) to the protected person;

(2) in the case of an unmarried minor, to a person having care and custody of the minor with whom the minor resides;

(3) to a trust approved by the court, including a trust created by the guardian, in which:

(A) the protected person is the sole beneficiary of the trust; and

(B) the terms of the trust satisfy the requirements of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations under that Section;

(4) to a custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (IC 30-2-8.5); or

(5) to another responsible person as the court orders.

(e) When a guardianship terminates by reason of the death of the protected person, the powers of the guardian cease, except as follows:

(1) The guardian may do the following:

(A) Pay the expenses of administration that are approved by the court and exercise other powers that are necessary to complete the performance of the guardian's trust.

(B) Deliver the remaining property for which the guardian is responsible to the protected person's personal representative or to a person who presents the guardian with an affidavit under IC 29-1-8-1 or IC 29-2-1-2.

(C) Request the health records of the protected person under IC 16-39-1-3(c)(4), except as provided in IC 16-39-1-3(d), if the protected person was an incapacitated person. The power of a guardian under this clause terminates sixty (60) days after the date of the protected person's death.

(2) If approved by the court, the guardian may pay directly the following:

(A) Reasonable funeral and burial expenses of the protected person.

(B) Reasonable expenses of the protected person's last illness.

(C) The protected person's federal and state taxes.

(D) Any statutory allowances payable to the protected person's surviving spouse or surviving children.

(E) Any other obligations of the protected person.

As added by P.L.169-1988, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.264-1989, SEC.12; P.L.95-2007, SEC.14; P.L.48-2012, SEC.9; P.L.115-2012, SEC.1; P.L.240-2017, SEC.2.