In Georgia, the probate court judge will appoint a “guardian” or “conservator” to manage the personal or financial affairs of individuals considered “wards” of the state. The guardian or conservator, also known as a fiduciary, is often required to purchase a surety bond in accordance with Title 29 of the Georgia Code to protect the interests of the ward and anyone who has an interest in the ward’s estate.
Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 and speak to a live Georgia probate bond expert.
The probate court clerk will inform the guardian or conservator of their required bond amount after they file the case. The clerk will follow Georgia Codes 29-4-30 and 29-5-40 outlined below to determine the bond amount.
The probate court will require guardians to post a bond on a case-by-case basis, with the court determining the specific amount. Generally, a bond will be necessary if the ward possesses substantial assets that require safeguarding. However, the probate court judge has the discretion to waive the bond requirement for most guardians of minors.
Public guardians and county guardians are required to obtain a $10,000 bond and a $5,000 bond, respectively. If a court appoints a public or county guardian to two or more wards, the court may require an additional bond. Conservators must post a bond in an amount that equals the estimated value of the estate’s personal property. The estimated value should exclude any real property, unless it is sold during the conservatorship. If a sale occurs, the probate judge will increase the bond amount to include the proceeds from the sale.
For example, suppose a conservator is appointed over an estate that has a bank account with $15,000 cash, a stock portfolio with $25,000 valuation, and real property valued at $260,000, the conservator will only need to obtain a $40,000 bond when they are first appointed. However, suppose the conservator sells the real property for $260,000 and receives the proceeds from the sale, the conservator will need to increase the bond limit to $300,000 to cover the additional money coming in from the real estate sale.
Jet charges $85 per year for the Georgia Guardian bond or the Georgia Conservator bond for bond amounts up to $17,000. See the chart below to calculate the price for larger bonds. We offer special tiered pricing that decreases the percentage rate paid for larger bond amounts and discounts if you purchase the bond for more than one year. In Georgia, guardians and conservators may pay the bond premium from the estate’s funds.
To determine how much the bond will cost, guardians/conservators can follow the steps listed below:
The probate court will provide the guardian and conservator with their required bond amount after the clerk evaluates the ward’s assets.
Guardian bonds and conservator bonds up to $17,000 in size cost $85 per year. For each additional $1,000 increase, the bond premium will increase by the corresponding amount outlined in the table below.
Bond Amount | Additional Premium (per $1,000) | Bond Cost (1 year) |
---|---|---|
$0 - $17,000 | $85 flat rate | $85 |
$17,001 - $50,000 | $5.00 | $85 - $250 |
$50,001 - $200,000 | $3.75 | $250 - $813 |
$200,001 - $500,000 | $2.50 | $813 - $1,563 |
$500,001 - $1,500,000 | $1.00 | $1,563 - $2,063 |
$1,500,000+ | $0.50 | $2,063+ |
For example, a $30,000 guardianship bond will cost $210 per year while a $40,000 guardianship bond will cost $270 per year. Jet also offers discounted rates for bonds purchased for multi-year terms. Call us at (855) 470-0877 to find out how much your guardianship bond will cost.
Put simply, guardians take custody of the ward and must provide care and make financial decisions. On the other hand, conservators do not have custody of the ward but are obligated to receive, collect, and make decisions regarding the ward’s property. You can find the specific details and responsibilities for each fiduciary type, along with what they do, listed below:
The court-appointed guardian or conservator is responsible for the care and management of the minor or adult deemed incapacitated, which includes making their financial decisions. Due to the weight of these decisions, Georgia county probate courts require a bond for guardianships and conservatorships. The bond ensures the ward’s estate is financially preserved and that the ward’s overall well-being is taken care of according to probate court and state standards as well as Title 29 of the Georgia Code.
The following people are generally exempt from the surety bond requirement:
The court may still require a bond in any of the above cases if they feel it necessary for the safety of the ward. The court may waive the surety bond requirement when the value of the personal property and annual real property rentals that will come into the possession of or under control of the fiduciary is less than $25,000.
The probate court is required to appoint the person who will best serve the interests of the ward. Any willing individual or corporation, determined suitable by the court, may petition the probate court to be a guardian or conservator. The order of appointment for guardians/conservators in Georgia is as follows:
The court has the right to appoint someone with lower preference if they believe that it is in the ward's best interests.
Jet’s application process is fast and easy-to-follow - our goal is to get the guardian bonded as quickly as possible to allow them to focus on their fiduciary obligations. All we need is the bond limit and basic information from the guardian. Our application allows the guardian/conservator to select where to send the bond.
Some of the factors Jet considers when underwriting a guardian bond or conservator bond:
After you purchase the bond, Jet will automatically prepopulate the bond form, sign and affix a raised seal, and mail the original bond. When the original bond is received, the guardian or conservator should sign as the principal and file the bond with the probate judge.
Jet has provided a chart at the bottom of the page with a list of each county’s probate court in the State of Georgia, including the contact information for their offices.
Georgia county probate courts require the Guardian/Conservator Bond to be on file for the entire term the fiduciary is appointed. A surety bond must be on file with the clerk of circuit court until the minor reaches the age of 18 or the incompetent person no longer requires the care of a guardian. Until that point, the court requires the bond, and the fiduciary can only be relieved of their obligations upon court approval.
The probate court will conduct a final account review to verify whether the fiduciary has met all obligations concerning the ward and/or estate. If the court approves and settles the final account, the fiduciary will be discharged and the surety bond will be released. The court will consider the following details to release the fiduciary of liability:
As for renewing your bond, Jet will send a renewal invoice far in advance of the bond term’s expiration date. The bond will remain active with the probate court as long as you make your renewal payment.
If you need to cancel your bond, you may request to do so with Jet by sending a written cancellation appeal to our email: [email protected].
However, the court will first need to release you from your fiduciary duties. Once the Jet team has received your request, we will send a cancellation request to the county probate court. If the court accepts the request, Jet will cancel the bond and provide a refund of any unearned premium.
Fiduciaries will face many challenges during their appointment as a guardian or conservator, whether for a minor or incompetent, an estate, or both. It is typical for a fiduciary to hire an attorney to work alongside them to ensure they are completing all duties in compliance with probate court and state regulations.
The probate court expects the guardian or conservator to fulfill all duties and obligations pursuant to Title 29 of the Georgia Code. Violations may lead to penalties such as a bond claim, and common causes for bond claims on the Georgia Guardian and Conservator Bond include the following:
A claim may be filed on the fiduciary’s bond by the ward themselves once they have reached the age of 18 or have been deemed competent by the probate court. Any person who suffers financial harm due to a breach of any condition of the surety bond may also file a claim.
Upon receiving court notice of a claim on the bond, Jet has 30 days to pay the claim or ask for additional time to review it. Jet works tirelessly to protect guardians against faulty claims, which means that even if the court has requested a bond payout, we assess all documentation provided by the court and the guardian before paying out the claim. However, if a claim is valid and Jet pays the claimant, the guardian must pay Jet back as the guardian is ultimately liable for their actions.
Below is a list of all the county probate courts located in the State of Georgia, as well as their addresses and contact information.
County Probate Court | Phone Number | Address |
---|---|---|
Appling County | (912) 367-8114 | 36 S Main St Baxley, GA 31513 |
Athens-Clarke County | (706) 613-3320 | 325 East Washington St, Ste 200 Athens, GA 30601 |
Atkinson County | (912) 422-3552 | 19 Robert Ave W Pearson, GA 31642 |
Bacon County | (912) 632-7661 | 502 W 12th St #100 Alma, GA 31510 |
Baker County | (229) 734-3007 | 167 Baker Pl Newton, GA 39870 |
Baldwin County | (478) 445-4807 | 121 N. Wilkinson Street Milledgeville, GA 31061 |
Banks County | (706) 677-6250 | 144 Yonah-Homer Road Suite 7 Homer, GA 30547 |
Barrow County | (770) 307-3045 | 652 Barrow Park Dr Winder, GA 30680 |
Bartow County | (770) 387-5075 | 135 W. Cherokee Ave Suite 243A Cartersville, GA 30120 |
Ben Hill County | (229) 426-5137 | 111 S Sheridan St Fitzgerald, GA 31750 |
Berrien County | (229) 686-5213 | 201 N Davis St, Room 175 Nashville, GA 31639 |
Bleckley County | (478) 934-3204 | 112 N Second Street Cochran, GA 31014 |
Brantley County | (912) 462-5192 | 234 Branley St #100 Nahunta, GA 31553 |
Brooks County | (229) 263-5567 | 1 Screven St, Ste 4 Quitman, GA 31643 |
Bryan County | (912) 756-8559 | P. O. Box 418 Pembroke, GA 31321 |
Bulloch County | (912) 489-8749 | 2 North Main St, 1st Fl Statesboro, GA 30458 |
Burke County | (706) 554-3000 | 200 East 6th Street Waynesboro, GA 30458 |
Butts County | (770) 775-8204 | 625 West Third Street, Suite 9 Jackson, GA 30233 |
Calhoun County | (912) 849-4835 | 31 Court St, Ste C Morgan, GA 39866 |
Camden County | (912) 576-3785 | 210 East 4th Street Woodbine, GA 31569 |
Candler County | (912) 685-2357 | 35 SW Broad Street Metter, GA 30439 |
Carroll County | (770) 830-5840 | 311 Newnan Street, Room 2022 Carrollton, GA 30117 |
Catoosa County | (706) 935-3511 | 875 Lafayette Street Ringgold, GA 30736 |
Charlton County | (912) 496-2230 | 1520 Third Street Suite B Folkston, GA 31537 |
Chatham County | (912) 652-7264 | 133 Montgomery St., Rm. 509 Savannah, GA 31401 |
Chattahoochee County | (706) 989-3603 | 379 Broad St Cusseta, GA 31805 |
Chattooga County | (706) 857-0709 | 10035 Commerce Street Summerville, GA 30747 |
Cherokee County | (678) 493-6160 | 90 North Street, Suite 340 Canton, GA 30114 |
Clay County | (229) 768-2445 | 210 Washington St, Suite 1 Fort Gaines, GA 39851 |
Clayton County | (770) 472-8124 | 121 South McDonough St. Annex 3 Jonesboro, GA 30236 |
Clinch County | (912) 487-5523 | 110 Court Square Homerville, GA 31634 |
Cobb County | (770) 528-1900 | 32 Waddell Street Marietta, GA 30090 |
Coffee County | (912) 384-5213 | 101 S. Peterson Ave, Ste A-20 Douglas, GA 31533 |
Colquitt County | (229) 616-7415 | 9 S Main St # 108 Moultrie, GA 31768 |
Columbia County | (706) 312-7254 | 640 Ronald Reagan Drive Evans, GA 30809 |
Cook County | (229) 896-3941 | 212 N. Hutchinson Ave. Adel, GA 31620 |
Coweta County | (770) 254-2640 | 200 Court Square Newnan, GA 30263 |
Crawford County | (478) 836-3313 | 100 GA Hwy 42 S Knoxville, GA 31050 |
Crisp County | (229) 271-4731 | 510 N 7th St, Suite 101 Cordele, GA 31015 |
Dade County | (706) 657-4414 | 255 W Crabtree Street Trenton, GA 30752 |
Dawson County | (706) 344-3580 | 25 Justice Way, Suite 4332 Dawsonville, GA 30534 |
Decatur County | (229) 248-3030 | 112 West Water Street Bainbridge, GA 39818 |
Dekalb County | (404) 371-2341 | 556 North McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030 |
Dodge County | (478) 374-3775 | 5401 Anson Ave # 100 Eastman, GA 31023 |
Dooly County | (229) 268-4217 | 104 2nd St #11 Vienna, GA 31092 |
Dougherty County | (229) 431-2102 | 225 Pine Avenue, Ste 123 Albany, GA 31701 |
Douglas County | (770) 949-2000 | 8700 Hospital Drive Douglasville, GA 30134 |
Early County | (229) 723-3454 | 111 Court Sq # C Blakely, GA 39823 |
Echols County | (229) 559-7526 | P.O. Box 118 Statenville, GA 31648 |
Effingham County | (912) 754-2112 | 700 N Pine Street Suite 146 Springfield, GA 31329 |
Elbert County | (706) 283-2016 | 45 Forest Avenue Elberton, GA 30635 |
Emanuel County | (478) 237-7091 | 125 S Main Street Swainsboro, GA 30401 |
Evans County | (912) 739-4080 | 201 Freeman Street, Suite 9 Claxton, GA 30417 |
Fannin County | (706) 632-3011 | 400 West Main Street, Ste 204 Blue Ridge, GA 30513 |
Fayette County | (770) 716-4220 | 1 Center Drive Fayetteville, GA 30214 |
Floyd County | (706) 291-5136 | 3 Government Plaza Rome, GA 30161 |
Forsyth County | (770) 781-2140 | 100 West Courthouse Square Cumming, GA 30040 |
Franklin County | (706) 384-2403 | 7085 Hwy 145 Suite A Carnesville, GA 30521 |
Fulton County | (404) 612-4640 | 136 Pryor Street SW Suite C-230 Atlanta, GA 30303 |
Gilmer County | (706) 635-4763 | 1 Broad Street Suite 204 Ellijay, GA 30540 |
Glascock County | (706) 598-3241 | 62 East Main Street Gibson, GA 30810 |
Glynn County | (912) 554-7231 | 701 G Street Brunswick, GA 31520 |
Gordon County | (706) 629-7314 | 215 North Wall Street Calhoun, GA 30701 |
Grady County | (229) 377-2912 | 250 N Broad St # 8 Cairo, GA 39828 |
Greene County | (706) 453-3346 | 113 N Main Street Suite 113 Greensboro, GA 30642 |
Gwinnett County | (770) 822-8350 | 75 Langley Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30046 |
Habersham County | (706) 839-0320 | 295 Llewellyn Street, Suite 24 Clarkesville, GA 30523 |
Hall County | (770) 531-6921 | 116 Spring Street SE 1st Floor Gainesville, GA 30501 |
Hancock County | (706) 444-5343 | 12630 Broad Street Sparta, GA 31087 |
Haralson County | (770) 646-2008 | 4485 GA-120 Buchanan, GA 30113 |
Harris County | (706) 628-5038 | 102 North College Street, Room 116 Hamilton, GA 31811 |
Hart County | (706) 376-2565 | 185 West Franklin Street Hartwell, GA 30643 |
Heard County | (706) 675-3353 | 215 East Court Square Franklin, GA 30217 |
Henry County | (770) 288-7600 | 99 Sims Street McDonough, GA 30253 |
Houston County | (478) 218-4710 | 201 N. Perry Parkway Perry, GA 31069 |
Irwin County | (229) 468-5138 | 301 S Irwin Ave # 101 Ocilla, GA 31774 |
Jackson County | (706) 387-6275 | 5000 Jackson Pkwy Suite 140 Jefferson, GA 30549 |
Jasper County | (706) 468-4903 | 126 W. Greene St. Ste. 111 Monticello, GA 31064 |
Jeff Davis County | (912) 375-6626 | 14 Jeff Davis St # 210 Hazlehurst, GA 31539 |
Jefferson County | (478) 625-3258 | 202 E Broad Street Louisville, GA 30434 |
Jenkins County | (478) 982-5581 | P.O. Box 797 Millen, GA 30442 |
Johnson County | (478) 864-3316 | 2557 East Elm Street Wrightsville, GA 31096 |
Jones County | (478) 986-6668 | P.O. Box 1090 Gray, GA 31032 |
Lamar County | (770) 358-5155 | 326 Thomaston St Barnesville, GA 30204 |
Lanier County | (229) 363-9270 | 56 W. Main Street Suite 10 Lakeland, GA 31635 |
Laurens County | (478) 272-2566 | 101 N. Jefferson St. Dublin, GA 31021 |
Lee County | (229) 759-6005 | 100 Leslie Highway Leesburg, GA 31763 |
Liberty County | (912) 876-3635 | 201 S Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 |
Lincoln County | (706) 359-5528 | 160B School Street Lincolnton, GA 30817 |
Long County | (912) 545-2131 | 75 West Academy Street Ludowici, GA 31316 |
Lowndes County | (229) 671-2650 | 327 N. Ashley St. Valdosta, GA 31601 |
Lumpkin County | (706) 864-3847 | 325 Riley Road Room 122 Dahlonega, GA 30533 |
Macon County | (478) 472-7685 | 121 Sumter St Oglethorpe, GA 31068 |
Macon-Bibb County | (478) 621-6494 | 601 Mulberry Street Second Floor Macon, GA 31201 |
Madison County | (706) 795-6365 | P.O. Box 207 Danielsville, GA 30633 |
Marion County | (229) 649-5542 | 100 E. Burkhalter Ave. Buena Vista, GA 31803 |
McDuffie County | (706) 595-2114 | 210 Railroad St. Thomson, GA 30824 |
McIntosh County | (912) 437-4888 | PO Drawer 459 Darien, GA 31305 |
Meriwether County | (706) 672-4952 | 100 S Court Square Greenville, GA 30222 |
Miller County | (229) 758-4110 | 155 South First Street Room 110 Colquitt, GA 39837 |
Mitchell County | (229) 336-2015 | 11 West Broad Street, Room 102 Camilla, GA 31730 |
Monroe County | (478) 994-7000 | 38 West Main Street Forsyth, GA 31029 |
Montgomery County | (912) 583-2681 | 400 S Railroad Ave Mt. Vernon, GA 30445 |
Morgan County | (706) 343-6500 | 149 E Jefferson Street Madison, GA 30650 |
Murray County | (706) 695-3812 | 115 W. Fort St. Chatsworth, GA 30705 |
Muscogee County | (706) 653-4333 | 100 10th Street, 6th Fl Columbus, GA 31901 |
Newton County | (770) 784-2045 | 1132 Usher Street, Rm 148 Covington, GA 30014 |
Oconee County | (706) 769-3936 | 23 North Main Street Room 304 Watkinsville, GA 30677 |
Oglethorpe County | (706) 743-5350 | 109 E. Boggs Street Lexington, GA 30648 |
Paulding County | (770) 443-7541 | 280 Constitution Boulevard Room 2009 Dallas, GA 30132 |
Peach County | (478) 825-2313 | 205 W. Church Street Fort Valley, GA 310130 |
Pickens County | (706) 253-8755 | 50 North Main Street Jasper, GA 30143 |
Pierce County | (912) 449-2029 | 3550 Hwy 84, Suite 1 Blackshear, GA 31516 |
Pike County | (770) 567-8734 | 16001 Barnesville Street Zebulon, GA 30295 |
Polk County | (770) 749-2128 | 100 Prior St #102 Cedartown, GA 30125 |
Pulaski County | (478) 783-2061 | 141 Commerce Street Hawkinsville, GA 31036 |
Putnam County | (706) 485-5476 | 100 South Jefferson Avenue Ste 318 Eatonton, GA 31024 |
Quitman County | (229) 334-2224 | P. O. Box 7 Georgetown, GA 39854 |
Rabun County | (706) 782-3614 | 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 215 Clayton, GA 30525 |
Randolph County | (229) 732-2671 | P.O. Box 424 Cuthbert, GA 39840 |
Richmond County | (706) 821-2434 | 735 James Brown Blvd. Ste 1000 Augusta, GA 30901 |
Rockdale County | (770) 278-7700 | 874 N. Main Street NW Conyers, GA 30012 |
Schley County | (229) 937-2905 | 47 North Pecan Street Ellaville, GA 31806 |
Screven County | (912) 564-2783 | 216 Mims Rd Rm 107 Sylvania, GA 30467 |
Seminole County | (229) 524-5256 | 200 S Knox Ave Donalsonville, GA 39845 |
Spalding County | (770) 467-4341 | 132 East Solomon Street Griffin, GA 30223 |
Stephens County | (706) 886-2828 | 70 N. Alexander St. Ste 108 Toccoa, GA 30577 |
Stewart County | (229) 838-4394 | 1764 Broad St Lumpkin, GA 31815 |
Sumter County | (229) 928-4551 | 500 West Lamar Street Americus, GA 31709 |
Talbot County | (706) 665-8866 | 26 S Washington Avenue Talbotton, GA 31827 |
Taliaferro County | (706) 456-2253 | P.O. Box 264 Crawfordville, GA 30631 |
Tattnall County | (912) 557-6719 | 111 N Main St Reidsville, GA 30453 |
Taylor County | (478) 862-3357 | 2 N Broad St Butler, GA 31006 |
Telfair County | (229) 868-6038 | 128 E Oak St # 1 McRae-Helena, GA 31055 |
Terrell County | (229) 995-5515 | 499 Rountree DR SW Dawson, GA 39842 |
Thomas County | (229) 225-4116 | 325 North Madison Street Thomasville, GA 31799 |
Tift County | (229) 386-7914 | 225 Tift Avenue Ste 117 Tifton, GA 31794 |
Toombs County | (912) 526-8696 | 100 Courthouse Square, Suite 23 Lyons, GA 30436 |
Towns County | (706) 896-3467 | 48 River Street, Suite C Benton, AR 72015 |
Treutlen County | (912) 529-3342 | 1830 Martin Luther King Jr Dr Soperton, GA 30457 |
Troup County | (706) 883-1690 | 100 Ridley Avenue, 2nd Floor LaGrange, GA 30240 |
Turner County | (229) 567-2151 | 219 E College St Ashburn, GA 31714 |
Twiggs County | (478) 945-3390 | 425 Railroad Street North Jeffersonville, GA 31044 |
Union County | (706) 439-6006 | 65 Courthouse St., Suite 8 Blairsville, GA 30512 |
Upson County | (706) 647-7015 | 106 E Lee Street Suite 210 Thomaston, GA 30286 |
Walker County | (706) 638-2852 | 103 S Duke Street – Room 101 LaFayette, GA 30728 |
Walton County | (770) 267-1345 | 303 S Hammond Drive Monroe, GA 30655 |
Ware County | (912) 287-4315 | 800 Church Street Waycross, GA 31501 |
Warren County | (706) 465-2227 | 521 Main Street Ste 104 Warrenton, GA 30828 |
Washington County | (478) 552-3304 | 129 W Haynes Street Room 106 Sandersville, GA 31082 |
Wayne County | (912) 427-5940 | 359 E Walnut St Jesup, GA 31546 |
Webster County | (229) 828-3615 | 6330 Hamilton St. Room #101 Preston, GA 31824 |
Wheeler County | (912) 568-7133 | 16 Pearl Ave #103 Alamo, GA 30411 |
White County | (706) 865-4141 | 59 South Main Street, Suite H Cleveland, GA 30528 |
Whitfield County | (706) 465-2227 | 205 N Selvidge Street Suite G Dalton, GA 30720 |
Wilcox County | (229) 467-2220 | 103 North Broad Street Abbevillle, GA 31001 |
Wilkes County | (706) 678-2523 | 23 Court Street, Room 422 Washington, GA 30673 |
Wilkinson County | (478) 946-2222 | P.O. Box 201 Irwington, GA 31042 |
Worth County | (229) 776-8207 | 201 North Main Street, Room 12 Sylvester, GA 31791 |