Adult Guardianship Periodic Reporting Requirements in Pennsylvania

At a glance

Requirements one by one

First filings and repeat reports

Every appointed guardian files a report during the first 12 months, then at least annually (§ 5521(c)(1)). For an estate guardian, § 5521(b) also brings in the inventory rule of § 5142: within three months after property comes into the guardian's possession, the guardian files a sworn inventory and appraisement of personal property, a real-property statement, and a statement of property expected later.

What the two roles report

An estate guardian reports principal and investments, current income, spending since the last report, and the adult's needs funded (§ 5521(c)(1)(i)). A person guardian reports residence and placement, major health problems, living arrangements and services, an opinion on whether guardianship should continue or change, and the number and duration of visits in the past year (§ 5521(c)(1)(ii)).

Accounts and review

The annual estate report and a formal account follow different clocks. Under § 5531, an account is mandatory when the court directs it and permitted on termination or at another authorized time. The account-notice rule of § 3503 applies through § 5533; it addresses written notice to known interested parties when an account is filed and called for audit or confirmation. The appointing court receives the guardian's annual report and develops a procedure to examine it (§ 5521(c)(4)).

What trips people up

The inventory clock begins when estate property comes into possession, while the first report clock begins at appointment (§§ 5142, 5521). Those events can occur on different dates.

The clerk must send the court a list at least quarterly of guardians whose reports are at least 30 days late. The statute directs the court to take appropriate enforcement action (§ 5521(c)(3)); it does not set one automatic sanction for every late report.

Common questions

Does a guardian file a formal account every year? Section 5531 requires an account when the court directs one; it separately allows an account on termination or at other court-authorized times. The annual § 5521 estate report still applies.

What happens after the adult dies? The guardian files a final report with the court within 60 days of death (§ 5521(c)(2)). The same section also sets that deadline after an adjudication of capacity and modification of existing orders.

Statutes and sources

The quoted current Pennsylvania statutes were accessed October 3, 2026.