Task force studies Indiana guardianship rules and protections

A temporary task force studies Indiana's guardianship laws and makes recommendations. Its 11 voting members include lawmakers, court and aging representatives, guardianship and elder law attorneys, a probate judge, a disability rights representative, and a volunteer program representative. The task force's expenses are payable from amounts appropriated to the legislative council. Appointments are due by July 30, 2026. The task force may report by November 1, 2026; if that report includes no proposed legislation, it must submit a report with proposed legislation by November 1, 2027. The task force expires December 31, 2027.

A minor's parents or caregiver may ask a court to approve a settlement of the minor's disputed claim. This applies when a minor has a disputed claim against another person and no guardian has been appointed for the minor and the minor's property. The court must approve the settlement after a hearing before it is valid. The court may appoint a representative for the minor. If the settlement cannot be paid through the listed minor property or court protection arrangements, the court must require a guardian and direct payment to the guardian on court-set terms. The court must hold a hearing before approving the settlement.

A custodian may transfer a minor's custodial property to certain trusts or savings accounts without a court order. This applies to property held by a custodian for a minor, including eligible education savings, disability trusts, pooled trust accounts, and ABLE accounts. A minor must meet the stated disability requirements for a qualified disability trust or pooled trust account. Each trust or account must meet its listed legal requirements and beneficiary limits. A transfer ends the custodianship of the property transferred. It does not replace anyone's duty to support the minor, and a custodian may not use the property to meet the custodian's own legal support duty. A custodian may make these transfers at any time.