What you need
Have last year’s account or the inventory, the year’s statements, and a record of your own fees. Line 2.a is last year’s balance on hand, or the inventory value on a first account.
The example follows Harold Brink, an invented ward whose letters issued 05/20/2024. This account covers 05/21/2025 to 05/20/2026 and was due 07/15/2026.
Item 2 must equal item 3
Page 1 lists what came in and what went out. Item 2 works them into a balance on hand, and item 3 itemizes that balance. The form says the two “must equal”.
| 2.a Balance on hand from last account | $27,400.55 |
|---|---|
| 2.b Income, gain and other receipts | 20,293.40 |
| 2.c Subtotal | $47,693.95 |
| 2.d Expenses, losses and other disbursements | 16,141.80 |
| 2.e Balance of assets on hand | $31,552.15 |
The two columns and item 3
| Social Security, $1,190.00 × 12 | $14,280.00 |
|---|---|
| Pension, $452.50 × 12 | 5,430.00 |
| Interest | 211.40 |
| Investment gain | 372.00 |
| Total column 1 | $20,293.40 |
| Assisted living, $1,150.00 × 12 | 13,800.00 |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy | 391.80 |
| Dentist | 640.00 |
| Conservator’s fee | 1,200.00 |
| Bond premium | 110.00 |
| Total column 2 | $16,141.80 |
| Checking | 9,685.75 |
|---|---|
| Savings | 16,586.40 |
| Mutual fund, 60 shares at $88.00 | 5,280.00 |
| Total balance on hand | $31,552.15 |
The sale
Harold’s fund shares came in at $88.00 each. His conservator sold 30 for $3,012.00. They were already in 2.a at $2,640.00, so column 1 takes only the $372.00 gain. The 60 left stay at $88.00 in item 3.
Attachments
Statements from each bank dated within 30 days after the period ends, or a verification of funds on deposit. If items 7 or 8 show fees, attach a description of the services. Leave account numbers off the form. If you need one to tell two accounts apart, it goes on form MC 97.
Don’t file receipts. Keep them where interested persons can see them before the account is allowed. The account is itemized unless every interested person waives it. MCR 5.310(C)(2) (opens in a new tab)
The long form, PC 584, has the same summary with schedules for income, expenses, gains and losses, and assets.
After you file
The filing fee for an account is $20. MCL 600.880b(1) (opens in a new tab)
The court allows the account on a petition, PC 585a, and an order, PC 585b. It may set a hearing or defer one, but it holds a hearing at least every three years. MCR 5.409(C)(3), (6) (opens in a new tab)
Receiving VA money for the ward? Michigan also wants a separate yearly account of that money, on the anniversary of your appointment, with a certified copy sent to the VA. MCL 35.79 (opens in a new tab)
The final account
The same form, with Final ticked. If the ward dies, it is due within 56 days of the death. MCR 5.409(F) (opens in a new tab)
Common mistakes
A period longer than a year
The form says the period may not exceed 12 months. A first period can be shorter.
The whole sale price as income
What was sold is already in 2.a. Only the gain goes in column 1, and a loss goes in column 2.
Your own fee left out of item 7
Item 7 asks for the fiduciary fees incurred in the period, including any already paid, with a description of the work.
Sources
- PC 583, Account of Fiduciary, Short Form (opens in a new tab), Michigan State Court Administrative Office
- MCL 700.5418 (opens in a new tab), a conservator’s duty to account
- MCR ch. 5 (see Rule 5.409) (opens in a new tab), when accounts are due, the period, allowance and the final account
Also for Michigan: PC 674, Inventory (Conservatorship)
We make Fidura, guardianship accounting software built on a reconciled register for each ward. See the product
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