Section 13-214 - Powers and duties of guardian in distribution. - Maryland Statutes

§ 13-214. Powers and duties of guardian in distribution.
 

(a)  General rule.- A guardian may distribute or disburse property without court authorization or confirmation in accordance with this section. 

(b)  Support.-  

(1) A guardian of a minor may pay or apply income and principal from the estate as needed for the clothing, support, care, protection, welfare, and education of the minor. 

(2) A guardian of a disabled person may pay or apply income and principal from the estate as needed for the clothing, support, care, protection, welfare, and rehabilitation of the disabled person. He shall give consideration to the support and care of the disabled person during the probable period of the estate and the needs of persons dependent upon the disabled person. 

(3) Income and principal also may be paid or applied for the benefit of persons legally dependent upon the minor or disabled person and, with the approval of the court, for the benefit of other persons maintained and supported in whole or in part by the disabled person prior to the appointment of a guardian. 

(c)  Other distributions.-  

(1) When a minor attains his majority, his guardian, after meeting all prior claims and expenses of administration, shall distribute the estate to the former minor as soon as possible, unless the minor is then disabled. The distribution normally shall be in kind. 

(2) If the guardian is satisfied that the disability of the disabled person has ceased or if the court has found in a proceeding under § 13-221 of this subtitle that the disability has ceased, the guardian, after meeting all prior claims and expenses of administration, shall distribute the estate to the former disabled person as soon as possible. The distribution normally shall be in kind. 

(3) When a minor or disabled person dies, the guardian shall deliver to the appropriate probate court for safekeeping any will of the deceased person in his possession, pay from the estate all commissions, fees, and expenses shown on the court-approved final guardianship account, inform the personal representative or a beneficiary named in it that he has done so, and retain the balance of the estate for delivery to an appointed personal representative of the decedent or other person entitled to it. 

(4) If a guardianship is terminated for reasons other than the attainment of majority, cessation of disability, or death of the protected person, the guardian shall distribute the estate in accordance with the order of the court terminating the guardianship. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 93A, § 214; 1974, ch. 11, § 2; 1999, ch. 662; 2000, ch. 61, § 1; 2010, chs. 256, 257, 544, 545.]