What you need
Have the last account or the inventory, a statement for every account, and a record of each receipt and payment. On a first account, line 1a is the inventory’s Attachment 1 total and line 1b its Attachment 2 total.
The example follows Irene Castillo, an invented conservatee. Her conservator was appointed 03/14/2025. This first account covers 03/14/2025 to 03/13/2026, and was due 03/14/2026. The next is due within two years after that, on the same forms.
Total charges must equal total credits
Charges are what you started with and took in. Credits are what went out and what is left. Assets other than cash stay at their carry value: the value appraised on the inventory, or the purchase price if bought later. Prob. Code §1061(c) (opens in a new tab)
| 1a. Cash assets at beginning | $18,240.55 |
|---|---|
| 1b. Non-cash assets at beginning (carry value) | 9,300.00 |
| 1c. Total property on hand at beginning | $27,540.55 |
| 2. Additional property received | 0.00 |
| 3. Receipts (Schedule A) | 20,856.40 |
| 4. Gains on sales (Schedule B) | 450.00 |
| 5. Other charges | 0.00 |
| 6. Net income from trade or business | 0.00 |
| 7. Total charges | $48,846.95 |
| 8. Disbursements (Schedule C) | 18,953.90 |
| 9. Losses on sales (Schedule D) | 0.00 |
| 10. Distributions to conservatee or ward | 0.00 |
| 11. Other credits | 0.00 |
| 12. Net loss from trade or business | 0.00 |
| 13a. Cash assets at end | 25,243.05 |
| 13b. Non-cash assets at end (carry value) | 4,650.00 |
| 13c. Total property on hand at end (Schedule E) | 29,893.05 |
| 14. Total credits | $48,846.95 |
Where the figures came from
Irene’s account is simplified, so Schedules A and C list each receipt and payment by date. They are grouped here to fit.
| Social Security, $1,420.00 × 12 | $17,040.00 |
|---|---|
| Pension, $310.00 × 12 | 3,720.00 |
| Savings interest | 96.40 |
| Schedule A | $20,856.40 |
| Board and care, $1,450.00 × 12 | 17,400.00 |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy | 528.30 |
| Bond premium | 240.00 |
| Clothing | 185.60 |
| Personal needs, $50.00 × 12 | 600.00 |
| Schedule C | $18,953.90 |
| Checking | 10,146.65 |
|---|---|
| Savings | 15,096.40 |
| Mutual fund, 75 shares at $62.00 | 4,650.00 |
| Carry value | $29,893.05 |
The sale
The referee appraised Irene’s 150 fund shares at $62.00 each. Her conservator sold 75 for $5,100.00. Their carry value was $4,650.00, so Schedule B shows a $450.00 gain and line 4 takes only that. The rest of the proceeds is the same money, moved from the fund to checking.
The 75 shares left stay at $62.00 in line 13b. Schedule E also asks for their estimated market value, $70.40 each: $5,280.00.
Standard, simplified or waived
The estate decides which one you file. A simplified account must meet every test. Rule 7.575(c), (d) (opens in a new tab)
| Account | Who may use it | Schedules |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Any estate. Required when the simplified tests are not all met. | Grouped by category, on the GC-400 schedules or your own in the same format |
| Simplified | No real estate that produces income, and no interest in a trade or business. Appraised value under $500,000, not counting the home. The court has not ordered a standard account. | Each receipt and payment by date, on GC-405(A) and GC-405(C) |
| Waived | Net value under $15,000 at the start and end of the period, not counting the home. Income under $2,000 a month, not counting public benefits. Any income not kept was spent for the ward or conservatee. | None; request on GC-410 |
If a simplified Schedule A or C would run past five pages, that schedule goes on the standard forms. The rest can stay simplified. Rule 7.575(d)(2) (opens in a new tab)
A waiver is asked for on GC-410 (opens in a new tab), one period at a time. The court can still order an account. Prob. Code §2628 (opens in a new tab)
The final account
A conservator who is removed or resigns, or whose conservatorship ends, files a final account. It uses the same forms, with Final ticked on the summary. Rule 7.576 (opens in a new tab)
After the conservatee’s death, the final account is two accountings. One runs to the date of death, the other from the day after. §2620(b) (opens in a new tab)
No statewide rule says how soon it is due. The court’s order or local rule sets the date.
Common mistakes
Sale proceeds on Schedule A
Line 1 already holds what was sold, at carry value. Only the gain goes on Schedule B, or the loss on Schedule D.
Market value on line 13b
Line 13b is carry value, the figure the other lines use. Market value goes in its own column on Schedule E.
Missing statements and bills
Attach a statement for every account showing its balance on the closing date. A first account also needs the statements showing each balance immediately before appointment. Attach the original closing escrow statement for any real property sold, and the original bills of any care facility where the conservatee lives. §2620(c) (opens in a new tab)
Filing late
The court sends notice to file the account and set it for hearing within 30 days, and can allow 30 more for cause. Missing that deadline, or 45 days from receiving the notice if later, is contempt of court, and the court may remove you. §2620.2 (opens in a new tab)
Blank or renamed lines
Enter 0 on any summary line with nothing on it, and leave out its schedule. Keep the letters of the schedules you do include.
Sources
- GC-400(SUM)/GC-405(SUM), Summary of Account (opens in a new tab), Judicial Council of California
- GC-410, Request and Order for Waiver of Accounting (opens in a new tab), Judicial Council of California
- Cal. Rules of Court, rule 7.575 (opens in a new tab), standard and simplified accounts
- Prob. Code §2620 (opens in a new tab), when accounts are due, statements to attach
- Prob. Code §2620.2 (opens in a new tab), failing to file an account
- Prob. Code §2628 (opens in a new tab), waiving an account
- Prob. Code §1061 (opens in a new tab), the summary, charges and credits
Also for California: GC-040, Inventory and Appraisal
We make Fidura, guardianship accounting software built on a reconciled register for each ward. See the product
Found an error? developer@fidura.app