Can a guardian be held accountable for their actions?

Yes, a guardian can be held accountable for their actions in Indiana. When a court appoints a guardian for a person unable to make decisions on their own, they must act in the best interests of the guardianship estate. As a result, guardians must follow the law governing the estate, pay taxes due to the estate, file annual guardianship reports, and keep accurate and detailed records of all assets and legal transactions. Failure to do any of these things may be considered neglect and make a guardian liable for any damages or losses incurred, or require the guardian to make good on losses already suffered. In addition, a guardian may be held accountable for misuse of funds or other assets; embezzlement; or any other misdeeds, such as fraud. If held accountable for their actions, a guardian may have to pay damages or face other penalties, such as loss of their guardianship. The court may decide that the guardian acted in good faith, but is still liable. Ultimately, guardians are responsible for caring for the person they are responsible for, and if something goes wrong, they will likely be held accountable. Guardians must follow all applicable laws, maintain accurate records, and act with honesty and integrity in order to ensure that their actions are not questioned or challenged.

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