5553 - Guardianship services. - Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 5553. Guardianship services. (a) In general.--The guardianship support agency shall be available to serve as guardian of the estate or of the person, or both, of an incapacitated person when no less restrictive alternative will meet the needs of the individual and when no other person is willing and qualified to become guardian. The agency itself may be appointed guardian and no individual need be specified by the court. If appointed, the guardianship support agency shall have all of the powers and duties of a corporate fiduciary and shall not be required to post bond. (b) Powers and duties.--The guardianship support agency shall be treated the same as all other guardians in regard to appointment as guardian or successor or co-guardian, reporting, powers and duties, compensation and in all other respects. In addition to section 5521 (relating to provisions concerning powers, duties, and liabilities), a guardianship support agency shall have the power and duty to: (1) Invest the principal and income of incapacitated persons for whom it is the guardian of the estate. For this purpose, it may pool the principal and income, but shall maintain an individual account for each incapacitated person reflecting the person's participation therein. (2) Expend and, if necessary, advance costs necessary to administer guardianships for which it has been appointed guardian. (3) Apply for letters or otherwise administer the estate of any incapacitated person for whom it has been appointed guardian who dies during the guardianship when no one else is willing and qualified to serve.