Florida's guardianship rules changed on July 1, 2026 under CS/HB 1121, now Chapter 2026-74. The act gives state regulators subpoena power over professional guardians, adds fines to the penalty list, and revises continuing education, while a separate guardianship bill on visitation and notice died in committee.
Guardianship is often described as permanent, and that description is wrong in a way that costs people years. Florida law gives a ward the right to be restored to capacity at the earliest possible time, and the ward can start the process personally.
The moment usually arrives quietly: a missed mortgage payment, a large sum given away on the phone, the stove left on twice in a week. Nothing has changed legally, everything has changed practically, and nobody has authority to act.