Guardian Benevolent Fund

Funding for AGED Guardian Benevolent Funds comes indirectly from Professional Guardian’s use of AGED Pooled Trusts.

Guardian Benevolent Funds is funded exclusively by a portion of retained Surplus Trust Property from AGED Pooled Trust that were originated by Professional Guardians via court order.

Surplus Trust Property can be created when a trust beneficiary passes away and funds remain in the trust. Before these funds can be retained as Surplus, Medicaid is notified to determine whether repayment is owed to the state for any medical assistance that Medicaid paid for over the life of the individual, known as a Medicaid Lien. If there are insufficient funds remaining in the trust to satisfy the lien they become Surplus Trust Property retained by AGED Trust for its non-profit missions. A portion of Surplus Trust Property from any trust originated by a Professional Guardian will go directly to fund AGED Guardian Benevolent funds in the Zone that the case originated from.

Guardians and Attorneys should strongly consider using AGED Pooled Trust for their Wards as any funds retained when the Ward passes will help fund programs for that will provide support  for Professional Guardians like the Guardian Peer Support and Mentor Group and AGED Guardian Benevolent Funds as well as other non-profit programs to assist the elderly and disabled.

GBF applications and disbursement requests must be submitted with all required documentation before they can be reviewed. Once received, requests are reviewed by committee on a periodic basis. Please follow the steps below to complete and submit your request.

1. Review instructions
2. Complete application including Letters of Guardianship.
3. Complete GBF disbursement request form
4. Email completed documents to probono@trustaged.org. You will receive confirmation of receipt.
5. Wait. Your application will be reviewed by a committee on a periodic basis and you will receive another email with approval or denial within approximately one month.

GBF distributions are subject to funding limits and are not guaranteed. Payments may be limited based on the type of fee requested, the amount of documentation provided, and the availability of funds. The following general limitations apply:

• Guardians are paid a maximum compensation for Guardian Fees of 10 hours per calendar month at a maximum of $50 / hour. Copy of detailed billing including time is required. No expenses paid.
• AGED limits the funds to what one guardian receives to a total of $3,000 for each billing month or $9,000 a quarter
• Attorneys are paid a maximum compensation of 12 hours per calendar year at a maximum rate of $100 / hour. Copy of detailed billing including time is required. No expenses paid. Guardian must submit Attorney’s fees for Attorney to be paid by GBF
• Funds are paid on a first-come-first-served basis
• Disbursement Form may include invoices for up to six months prior to submission date.

The following is a general list of restrictions, however AGED Trust reserves the right to limit and restrict the GBF at its discretion.

• The ward has sufficient assets or access to funds to pay Guardian and Attorney’s fees.
• Cases for Guardian of the Property (only), Guardian of Property of a Minor, and Emergency Temporary cases cannot apply to GBF.
• The Ward does not reside in Florida
• Guardian must maintain active registration status with OPPG
• Cases originated or petitioned by a facility or hospital, and/or by people working for a facility or hospital, within the last 24 months.
• Guardian has been discharged from case.

No. The Guardian Benevolent Fund is not intended to serve as a consistent or guaranteed revenue source. Instead, it is designed to help offset the financial burden of pro bono guardianship.

GBF payments maybe denied, limited, reduced, or restricted for any reason at the sole discretion of AGED Trust.