Standard Fee Schedule
January 2023
Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.The fees we charge pay for the cost of our services and support our mission. These rates are subject to adjustment as needed to meet contracts, regulatory requirements, or a client’s ability to pay.
Appointed Services
Conservatorship (Court Appointed):
- Base Conservator rate is $190/month including Payee services. Assessed monthly.
- For management of real estate and/or investable assets over $100,000, add $130/month to the
base rate. Total is $320/month. Assessed monthly. - Costs associated with the receipt of VA income are assessed under VA Fiduciary authority.
Other revenues, such as pensions, annuities, etc. are assessed at four percent (4%) of these
revenues and added to the base rate. Assessed monthly. - For real estate management, add three percent (3%) of net proceeds from sale.
- Special conservator authority: $140 per hour plus $100 per month
- Non-professional fee of $30.00/hour in lieu of outside contractor costs
- One-time closing fee of $600 to transfer or terminate conservator authority except where authority
continues as personal representative.
Guardianship (Court Appointed):
- Temporary or Emergency authority: $75 per hour plus $90 per month
- Full Guardianship Monthly fee of $250 including Payee services.
- Costs associated with the receipt of VA income is assessed under VA Fiduciary authority.
- Fees charged to external fiduciaries: $150.00/hour plus $150 per month (or as negotiated).
- Non-professional fee of $30.00/hour in lieu of outside contractor costs.
- One-time closing fee of $300 to transfer or terminate case.
Representative Payee (Social Security Appointed)
- Social Security Administration-determined rate: $52/month or 10% of Social Security benefits, whichever is lower.
- Drug and Alcohol fees are $97 per month or 10% of Social Security benefits, whichever is lower.
VA Fiduciary (Veterans Administration Appointed)
- Veterans Administration-determined rate: monthly fee equal to four percent (4%) of income.
Personal Representative(Court Appointed executor of estate)
- $140 per hour plus monthly fee of $55 per.
- For real estate management, add three percent (3%) of net proceeds from sale.
- Non-professional fee of $30.00/hour in lieu of outside contractor costs.
- One-time closing fee of $500 to terminate authority
- Minimum annual fee: one percent (1%) of estate managed.
Market Based Services
Individual Trust Services
- Trustee Fees:
- Set-up fee of four percent (4%) of trust assets deposited, up to a maximum of $1,000.
- Base rate: $55 per month
- Trust Officer fee: $140.00/hour for time spent on account management.
- For real estate management, add three percent (3%) of net proceeds from sale.
- Non-professional fee of $30.00/hour in lieu of outside contractor costs.
- Minimum annual fee: 1% of trust assets managed.
- One-time termination fee of $500 if account is closed or moved to another trustee.
- Upon the death of the beneficiary: a one-time closing fee of six percent (6%) of any remainder trust balance, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Pooled Special Needs Trust Services
- Trustee Fees:
- Base rate is $25 per month paid monthly.
- Trust Officer fee:$140.00/hour for time spent on account management.
- Minimum annual fee: 1% of trust assets managed.
Financial Power of Attorney
- Monthly income/expense management – four percent (4%) of income received. Including wages,
pension, annuities, tribal payments, etc. - Other services charged at $75/hour.
Money Management
- One on one financial counseling including budgeting, paperwork organizing, public benefit acquisition, credit counseling, etc.: $75/hour
Small Estate
- One time fee of $300 or Ten percent (10%) of estate, whichever is greater
Other Fees
Third Party Fees:
- Bank and investment management fees are passed through at cost.
- Attorney, accounting, or other extraordinary fees are passed through at cost.