Florida Statutes
Part VIII - Veterans’ Guardianship (Ss. 744.602-744.653)
744.604 - Definitions.


(1) “Adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction” means a judicial decision or finding that a person is or is not incapacitated as provided in s. 744.331.
(2) “Adjudication by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs” means a determination or finding that a person is competent or incompetent on examination in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(3) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as head of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or her or his successor.
(4) “Benefits” means arrears of pay, bonus, pension, compensation, insurance, and all other moneys paid or payable by the United States through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs by reason of service in the Armed Forces of the United States.
(5) “Estate” means income on hand and assets acquired in whole or in part with income.
(6) “Guardian” means any person acting as a fiduciary for a ward’s person or the ward’s estate, or both.
(7) “Income” means moneys received from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as benefits, and revenue or profit from any property acquired in whole or in part with such moneys.
(8) “Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, or an association.
(9) “United States Department of Veterans Affairs” means the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessors or successors.
(10) “Ward” means a beneficiary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
History.—s. 1, ch. 14579, 1929; CGL 1936 Supp. 2146(2); s. 1, ch. 73-304; s. 2, ch. 84-62; s. 95, ch. 89-96; s. 39, ch. 93-268; s. 1115, ch. 97-102.
Note.—Former s. 293.02.

Structure Florida Statutes

Florida Statutes

Title XLIII - Domestic Relations

Chapter 744 - Guardianship

Part VIII - Veterans’ Guardianship (Ss. 744.602-744.653)

744.602 - Short title; scope of part.

744.604 - Definitions.

744.607 - Secretary of Veterans Affairs as party in interest.

744.609 - Procedure for commitment of veteran to United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.

744.613 - Appointment of guardian for ward authorized.

744.616 - Petition for appointment of guardian.

744.617 - Notice by court of petition filed for appointment of guardian.

744.618 - Persons who may be appointed guardian.

744.619 - Bond of guardian.

744.621 - Inventory of ward’s property; guardian’s failure to file inventory; discharge; forfeiture of commissions.

744.622 - Guardian empowered to receive moneys due ward from the United States Government.

744.624 - Guardian’s application of estate funds for support and maintenance of person other than ward.

744.625 - Petition for support, or support and education, of ward’s dependents; payments of apportioned benefits prohibit contempt action against veteran.

744.626 - Exemption of benefits from claims of creditors.

744.627 - Investment of funds of estate by guardian.

744.631 - Guardian’s petition for authority to sell ward’s real estate; notice by publication; penalties.

744.634 - Guardian’s accounts, filing with court and certification to United States Department of Veterans Affairs; notice and hearing on accounts; failure to account.

744.637 - Certified copies of public records made available.

744.638 - Clerk of the circuit court; fees; duties.

744.639 - Attorney’s fee.

744.641 - Guardian’s compensation; bond premiums.

744.643 - Discharge of guardian of minor or incompetent ward.

744.646 - Final settlement of guardianship; notice required; guardian ad litem fee; papers required by United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

744.649 - Notice of appointment of general guardian; closing of veteran’s guardianship; transfer of responsibilities and penalties to general guardian.

744.652 - Construction and application of part.

744.653 - Annual guardianship report.