Maryland Guardian Duties, Training, and Orientation Requirements

Getting the guardianship order is the part everyone focuses on — the petition, the hearing, the judge's decision. But once that order is signed, a new set of responsibilities kicks in that catches many guardians off guard. Missing a deadline or failing to file a required report can put your guardianship at risk, even when the child is thriving under your care.

Guardian Orientation

Except for public guardians and guardianships that terminate parental rights, Maryland requires prospective guardians to complete the Judiciary's orientation before appointment. After appointment, guardians of the person must complete training within 120 days; guardians of the property must complete it within 60 days. Some courts offer the training as a class, while others allow online completion, so ask the appointing court how to meet the requirement.

Ask the clerk at your appointment hearing how to complete the training in your county and when the court needs the certificate.

Duties of a Guardian of the Person

As guardian of a minor's person, you have legal authority over the child's daily care, housing, education, and medical decisions. That authority comes with specific obligations:

Provide a safe, stable home. The child must live with you or in a living arrangement you've approved. If your housing situation changes — a move to a different county, for example — you may need to notify the court.

Manage the child's education. You're responsible for enrolling the child in school, attending parent-teacher conferences, making decisions about special education services, and keeping the child in regular attendance.

Authorize medical care. You can consent to routine and emergency medical treatment, dental care, mental health services, and vaccinations. Your Letters of Guardianship (or Certificate of Appointment) are your proof of authority — keep certified copies on hand for doctors' offices, emergency rooms, and pharmacies.

Act in the child's best interest. This is the overarching standard. Every decision you make as guardian should prioritize the child's welfare, safety, and developmental needs.

The Annual Report (CC-GN-014)

This is the obligation guardians most often miss. Every guardian of the person of a minor must file Form CC-GN-014 (Annual Report of Guardian of a Minor) with the court each year, due within 60 days of the anniversary of your appointment.

The report covers:

• The child's current living arrangements
• The child's physical and mental health status
• Educational progress — school name, grade, any special services
• Contact between the child and parents or other family members
• Any significant changes in the child's circumstances

Filing is not optional. If you fail to file, the court can issue a show-cause order requiring you to appear and explain why. Persistent non-compliance can lead to removal as guardian.

Mark the due date on your calendar the day the order is entered. Some jurisdictions send a reminder notice, but don't rely on it.

Guardian of the Property: Additional Obligations

If you're also (or separately) appointed as guardian of the child's property, the financial reporting requirements are more demanding:

Initial inventory. File Form CC-GN-011 (Inventory and Information Report) within 60 days of your appointment, listing every asset the child owns — bank accounts, investments, insurance payouts, litigation proceeds, inherited property.

Annual fiduciary accounting. File an account each year within 60 days of the appointment anniversary, or as the court otherwise directs. In Circuit Court, use Form CC-GN-012; in Orphans' Court, use RW1320. Show income received, disbursements made, and the estate's current balance; attach account statements and supporting documents. For a Circuit Court account, the current fee is $10 plus a review fee based on account size.

Restricted accounts. Courts often order that the minor's funds be deposited into restricted bank accounts that require a court order before any withdrawal. You cannot dip into the child's money for household expenses without prior judicial approval, even if the expense is clearly for the child's benefit.

Commission worksheet. Estates and Trusts § 13-218 sets guardian-of-the-property commissions by income and corpus. Use Form CC-GN-025 with the annual or final account to calculate the commission. The court may increase or decrease the statutory commission on an interested person's petition if it finds unusual circumstances.

What Your Authority Doesn't Include

Guardianship of the person doesn't give you authority to manage the child's financial assets (that requires guardianship of the property). It doesn't terminate the parent's residual rights — they can still petition to modify or end the guardianship if their circumstances change. And it doesn't give you authority to consent to the child's adoption.

Understanding the boundaries keeps you from overstepping your order and gives you clarity about when you need to go back to court for additional authority.

The Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes a post-order compliance calendar and reporting checklists to keep you on track with every filing deadline after your Maryland guardianship is granted.

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