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Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services open to the public by appointment only. Please reach us during business hours, or for after-hour emergencies at 269.963.3253.

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Schedule of Fees

Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We charge fees to cover the cost of our programs. Rates may be adjusted if the individual qualifies for contract coverage, or a sliding scale may be applied based on a client's ability to pay.  

Fees updated January 2026

Personal Representative (Court Appointed executor of the estate)

  • Recurring bill payment fee where applicable:
    $150 per hour, plus a monthly fee of $65.

  • One-time closing fee to terminate authority: $500

  • Minimum annual fee:
    One percent (1%) of estate managed.

VA Fiduciary
(Veterans Administration Appointed)

  • Veterans Administration-determined rate:
    Monthly fee of four percent (4%) of income.

Representative Payee
(Social Security Appointed)

  • Social Security Administration-determined rate:
    $57/month or 10% of Social Security benefits, whichever is lower.

  • Drug and Alcohol fees:
    $106 monthly or 10% of Social Security benefits, whichever is lower.

Guardianship
(Court Appointed)

  • Temporary or Emergency authority:
    $75 per hour plus $150 per month.

  • Full Guardianship Monthly fee:
    $267, including Payee services.

  • Costs associated with the receipt of VA income: 
    Assessed under VA Fiduciary authority.

  • Fees charged to Insurance:
    $150.00/hour plus $200 per month (or as negotiated).

  • Professional fee: 
    $150.00/hour instead of outside contractor costs.

  • One-time closing fee to transfer or terminate the case: $300.

Conservatorship
(Court Appointed)

  • Base Conservator rate
    $267/month. This includes Payee services. Assessed monthly.

  • Manage real estate or investable assets over $100,000:
    Add $147/month to the base rate. Total is $412/month. Assessed monthly

  • Listing and selling real estate: $150/hour.

  • Fees charged to Insurance:
    $150.00/hour plus $200 per month (or as negotiated).

  • Other revenues, such as pensions, annuities, etc.:
    Assessed at four percent (4%) of these revenues and added to the base rate, assessed annually, and collected monthly.

  • Special conservator authority:
    $150 per hour plus $200 per month

  • To transfer or terminate conservator authority (except where authority continues as personal representative):
    One-time closing fee of $600

Appointed Services

Third-Party Fees

  • Bank and investment management fees: Passed through at cost.

  • Attorney, accounting, or other extraordinary fees:
    Passed through at cost.

Other Fees

Small Estate

  • One-time fee:
    $300 or Ten percent (10%) of the estate, whichever is greater.

Contractor

  • Contracted services: $150/hour.

Money Management
  • One-on-one financial counseling:
    Including budgeting, paperwork organizing, public benefit acquisition, credit counseling, etc., $80/hour

Financial Power of Attorney
  • Monthly income/expense management:
    Four percent (4%) of income received, including wages, pensions, annuities, tribal payments, etc.

  • Other services:
    Charged at $150/hour.

Pooled Special Needs Trust Services

TRUSTEE FEES:

  • Base rate:
    $30 per month, paid monthly for recurring bill payment processing where applicable.

  • Trust Officer fee: $150.00/hour. 

  • Minimum annual fee:
    One percent (1%) of trust assets managed.

  • Minor Trust:
    All fees stated except for monthly fees.

Individual Trust Services 
TRUSTEE FEES:
  • Set-up fee: 
    Four percent (4%) of trust assets deposited, up to a maximum of $1,000.

  • Base rate: $75 per month.

  • Trust Officer fee: $150.00/hour.

  • Minimum annual fee:
    One percent (1%) of trust assets managed.

  • One-time termination fee if account is closed or moved to another trustee: $500

  • Upon the beneficiary's death:
    One-time closing fee of six percent (6%) of any remaining trust balance, up to a maximum of $10,000.

  • Minor Trust:
    All fees stated except for monthly fees.

Market-Based Services

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