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Nevada Conservator and Guardian Bond
Probate courts may appoint a guardian or a conservator to care for and act on behalf of a minor or adult that has been deemed incompetent (often referred to as a protected person or ward), the person’s estate, or both. While fulfilling their legal obligations, the guardian or conservator is typically required to file a surety bond with the Nevada probate court that is handling the protected person’s estate. Jet Insurance Company provides the Nevada Guardian and Conservator Bond as an assurance to the Nevada State courts that the protected person and/or their estate will be properly cared for.
Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 and speak to a live Nevada probate bond expert.
What Is the Bond Limit and Cost of the Nevada Guardian and Conservator Bond?
The Guardian and Conservator Bond has a custom limit that is determined by the Nevada probate court and is typically in an amount that the judge feels is necessary for the protection of the protected person and their estate. For good cause, the court can choose to increase or decrease the amount of the bond required at any time for the wellbeing of the ward.
For those who are appointed as the guardian of a ward that is a beneficiary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the surety bond amount must be in an amount no less than the value of the personal property of the estate plus the estate’s anticipated annual income.
How Much Does the Nevada Guardian/Conservator Bond Cost?
Jet charges a minimum of $85 per year for the Nevada Guardian Bond and Nevada Conservator Bond, with the price depending on the size of the bond. We offer special tiered pricing that decreases the percentage rate paid for larger bond amounts. Guardians can also save if they purchase bonds for more than one year at a time.
To determine how much the bond will cost, guardians and conservators can follow the steps listed below:
- Determine the Required Bond Amount
The clerk of the probate court will provide the guardian/conservator with their required bond amount when the clerk evaluates the ward’s assets based on the guidelines outlined above.
- Calculate the Total Cost
Guardian bonds and conservator bonds up to $17,000 in size will cost as low as $85 per year. For each additional $1,000 increase in size, the bond premium for preferred customers 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+ |
Jet does not require credit checks for applicants with bond sizes under $25,000, or under $50,000 if the applicant has retained an attorney. Fiduciaries may also request the court to reimburse the bond premium from estate funds. Call us at (855) 470-0877 to find out how much your guardianship bond will cost.
What Is the Difference Between a Guardian and Conservator in Nevada?
A guardian is any person or association that is appointed by the probate court to care for and manage a protected person, their estate, or both. This protected person may be a minor under the age of 18 years old (sometimes guardianships continue until the person reaches 19 years of age) or an adult that has been ruled as being unable to care for themselves and/or their estate. The guardian’s duties include making everyday decisions for the ward such as basic care, education, finances, and health.
Conservatorships are similar to guardianships in that the person is appointed by a probate court to manage the protected person’s estate. They are responsible for the collection, preservation, and investment of the ward’s property and assets. According to Chapter 161 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, conservatorships in Nevada are typically reserved for members of the armed forces and merchant seamen who have not provided an adequate power of attorney and who have been reported as missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, or besieged, captured by an enemy, or is otherwise in a difficult situation.
Why Is a Probate Bond Required for Nevada Guardians and Conservators? Are There Exemptions?
Conservators and guardians are appointed by the probate court and are responsible for caring for and managing everyday choices for a minor or an adult that has been deemed incompetent; making financial decisions on behalf of the protected person is typically part of the court-ordered appointment as well. Some of these decisions will affect the ward for the rest of their lives. Due to the serious nature of the fiduciary’s duties, Nevada county probate courts require a surety bond to be acquired for guardianships and conservatorships. The bond provides an extra level of protection for the ward’s well-being and ensures their assets and property are financially taken care of up to the probate court’s and State’s standards.
The people who meet the qualifications below are generally exempt from the surety bond requirement:
- Guardians of minors or incompetent adults who own no property or other assets
- Banking corporations that have been appointed by the probate court to act as guardian or conservator of the estate of a protected person
- A nominated guardian in a will that states no bond is required of them
If the probate court thinks it is necessary, the guardian or conservator may still be required to obtain a surety bond in any of the above cases.
How to Apply for the Nevada Guardian and Conservator Bond With Jet
Our application is online and can be completed from the comfort of your home. Some information that is needed includes your contact details, the court-required bond limit, general information about the ward and/or their estate, and the fiduciary’s social security number for a soft credit check (this process won’t affect your credit score). Once you’ve submitted everything, a Jet underwriter will complete a quick review of your application. If further resources are needed, we will give you a call right away. Otherwise, approved rate options will be sent to you that are ready for immediate purchase. Just fulfill payment and receive a copy of your bond form and receipt instantly.
The original signed and sealed probate bond must be filed with the county clerk’s office in which the guardianship or conservatorship proceeding is being conducted. Once you have completed your bond purchase with Jet, a member of our team will fill out and seal the bond form appropriately, and then send it to the mailing address indicated. It is the fiduciary’s responsibility to sign and complete the bond filing with the probate court themselves.
The Jet team has provided a list of each Nevada county probate court and their contact information in a chart at the bottom of this page. Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 and we will be happy to help.
Is the Nevada Guardian and Conservator Bond Cancellable?
The Guardian and Conservator Bond may be cancelled, but a few steps must be taken care of before termination of the bond can be achieved. Once you notify Jet of your wish to cancel, we must send a written cancellation request to the county probate court where the bond was originally filed. If the judge accepts this notice, the surety bond will be officially cancelled as soon as we receive a release of liability from the court.
If you need to cancel your bond, send us a request to bonddept@jetsurety.com and we will begin the process with the Nevada county probate court.
It is important to note that unless you have fulfilled all your fiduciary obligations and been released of your guardianship or conservatorship appointment, the probate court judge will require you to promptly file a replacement surety bond with the court. An omission to do so may lead to the court’s removal of the guardian or conservator from their appointment.
When Does the Nevada Guardian and Conservator Bond Obligation End?
The Conservator and Guardian Bond must be on file with the appropriate Nevada county probate for the entirety of the guardianship or conservatorship. The bond will likely need to be renewed at some point during your fiduciary appointment. Jet will send you a renewal invoice in advance of your bond term’s expiration date. As long as standard payment is fulfilled, your bond will remain active with the probate court.
The Guardian and Conservator Bond obligation will only end once your fiduciary duties are complete and you have been officially released from your appointment as a guardian or conservator by the probate court.
Guardians of minors or incompetents (includes beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs) may be discharged of their fiduciary duties upon the filing of receipts and vouchers showing compliance with the courts. This may occur if the minor reaches the age of a legal adult, if the ward is declared competent by the probate court, if the protected person becomes deceased, and/or if the guardian has completed their duties and wrapped up all affairs regarding the ward’s estate.
Conservators for members of the armed forces and merchant seamen may be released by the probate court if the absentee (protected person) petitions the court to terminate the conservatorship. Once terminated, the conservator must deliver all property held under the absentee’s ownership. The conservatorship may also end if the court finds that the absentee has died; an executor or administrator will then be appointed to take care of the estate’s fiduciary duties and the conservator will be released from their appointment.
A guardian or conservator is not relieved of liability for their term as a fiduciary until an order of release is officially entered and filed by the county probate court.
How Does a Fiduciary Avoid Bond Claims?
The probate court expects fiduciaries to fulfill all appropriate obligations pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statutes, Title 13, particularly the chapters pertaining to the specifics of guardians and conservators. It is typical for a fiduciary to hire an attorney to work alongside them during their appointment to ensure they are completing all duties up to the State’s and court’s rules and regulations. Violations of any rules and regulations may lead to a bond claim.
Common causes for claims on the Nevada Conservator and Guardian Bond include the following:
- Committing negligence, embezzlement, or fraud
- Misappropriation or misuse of estate assets
- Making a change to the last will and testament of the protected person without court approval
- Making a life-changing medical decision for the ward without court approval
- Neglecting or refusing to file inventory for all estate assets within the time required by the probate court
- Buying or selling any part of the estate without court approval
- Using estate funds, property, or assets for unjustified personal use
A claim may be filed on the guardian’s or conservator’s bond by any person (typically conducted by the protected person) who has been financially injured due to a transgression of the fiduciary duties. An action must be filed within three years from the time of the guardian’s or conservator’s discharge or termination of their appointment. However, if the person entitled to bring action against the fiduciary is under a legal disability, they may pursue a claim within three years of their disability being removed.
The claimant must file an action with the probate court that is handling the guardianship or conservatorship directly. The court’s judge will decide whether or not the claim is justified and if restitution by means of the Guardian and Conservator Bond is acceptable.
What Happens if a Claim Is Filed on the Nevada Guardian and Conservator Bond?
The Nevada county probate court will send an official bond claim notice to you and Jet after the verdict to file a suit has been officially made. Once received, Jet will contact you directly to acquire all available information and documentation involved in your case. We will utilize these tools for our own review and investigation of the accused violation.
Jet is legally obligated to payout justified claims per the bond form. This payout will be up to the bond’s limit and will not exceed this amount. You, the guardian or conservator, are responsible for your actions and must reimburse Jet for the full claim payout that was made on behalf of your committed violation(s).
Nevada County Probate Courts
Below is a list of all the county probate courts located in Nevada, as well as their addresses and contact information.
| Mailing Address | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Carson City County District Court 885 East Musser Street, 3rd Floor Carson City, NV 89701 | (775) 887-2082 districtcourtclerk@Carson.org |
| Churchill County District Court 73 North Maine Street, Suite B Fallon, NV 89406 | (775) 423-6088 Ssevon@churchillcourts.org |
| Clark County District Court Phoenix Building 330 South 3rd Street Las Vegas, NV 89101 | (702) 455-2650 |
| Douglas County District Court 1038 Buckeye Road PO Box 218 Minden, NV 89423 | (775) 782-9820 |
| Elko County District Court 571 Idaho Street Elko, NV 89801 | (775) 753-4601 fourjdc1@elkocountynv.net |
| Esmeralda County District Court 1520 East Basin Avenue, Suite #105 Pahrump, NV 89060 | (775) 485-6309 clerktreasurer@esmeraldacountynv.org |
| Eureka County District Office PO Box 694 Eureka, NV 89316 | (775) 237-5263 |
| Humboldt County District Office 50 West 5th Street, Room #207 Winnemucca, NV 89445 | (775) 623-6371 kbrumm@hcdcnv.com |
| Lander County District Court 50 State Rte. 305 Battle Mountain, NV 89820 | (775) 635-1332 |
| Lincoln County District Court 181 North Main Street, Suite 208 Pioche, NV 89043 | (775) 962-8000 |
| Lyon County District Court 911 Harvey Way Yerington, NV 89447 | (775) 463-6571 |
| Mineral County District Court 105 S. A Street Hawthorne Mineral, NV 89415 | (775) 945-0738 |
| Nye County District Court 1520 East Basin Ave. #105 Pahrump, NV 89060 | (775) 751-4210 |
| Pershing County District Court 400 Main Street PO Box H Lovelock, NV 89419 | (775) 273-2105 |
| Storey County District Court 26 South B Street Drawer D Virginia City, NV 89440 | (775) 847-0969 clerk@storeycounty.org |
| Washoe County District Court 1 South Sierra Street Reno, NV 89501 | (775) 328-3110 |
| White Pine County District Court 801 Clark Street, Suite 4 Ely, NV 89301 | (775) 293-6509 |
