Adult Guardianship Periodic Reporting Requirements in South Carolina

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Conservator's first filings

South Carolina Code § 62-5-415 requires the conservator to file a complete estate inventory within thirty days of appointment, with an oath or affirmation of accuracy; the court may extend the time. Under § 62-5-414(B), the court may also require a financial plan tailored to the protected person. That plan must change as the person's needs and circumstances change.

Estate reports

Under § 62-5-416(A), the conservator reports annually, at other court-directed times, and on the listed ending events. The report under § 62-5-416(B) covers period receipts and disbursements, controlled assets and their locations, possible changes to the financial plan, and the conservator's opinion about continued need and scope. The section gives an annual interval without a calendar due date.

Copies and court review

Under § 62-5-416(C), the conservator gives a report copy to a protected person with sufficient capacity to understand it, and to a parent with whom that person resides or the person's guardian. Under § 62-5-416(D), the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to review the report or plan. The court may direct examination of estate assets under § 62-5-416(E).

What trips people up

The guardian's death filing differs from the conservator's annual estate report. Under § 62-5-306(A), the guardian notifies the court of the ward's death and files a death certificate. If there is no conservatorship and the court authorizes use of the ward's funds for final disposition of remains, § 62-5-306(B) requires an accounting within ten days of approval and proof of delivery to the specified estate contact or relative.

Common questions

Does the inventory go only to the court? No. Section 62-5-415 also requires a copy for the protected person's guardian, if any, and others the court directs.

Can someone request a final report? Under § 62-5-416(F), the conservator or protected person may petition in formal proceedings for an intermediate or final report and an adjudication of unsettled liabilities.

Must the conservator send the financial plan to anyone? Under § 62-5-414(B), the conservator gives a copy to the protected person's guardian, if any, or the protected person.

Statutes and sources

• S.C. Code § 62-5-306: “Upon the death of the ward, the guardian shall notify the court and file a death certificate confirming the ward's death.” Official code, accessed 2026-10-03.
• S.C. Code § 62-5-414: “The court may require a conservator to file a financial plan for managing, expending, and distributing the assets of the protected person's estate.” Official code, accessed 2026-10-03.
• S.C. Code § 62-5-415: “Within thirty days of appointment, the conservator shall prepare and file with the court a complete inventory of the estate of the protected person.” Official code, accessed 2026-10-03.
• S.C. Code § 62-5-416: “A conservator shall report to the court regarding his administration of the estate annually.” Official code, accessed 2026-10-03.