Section 29-5-41. Terms of conservator's bond; timing; value; substantial compliance sufficient

   (a) The bond of a conservator shall be:

   (1) Secured by an individual who is a domiciliary of this state or by a licensed commercial surety authorized to transact business in this state;

   (2) Payable to the court for the benefit of the ward;

   (3) Conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the conservator's duty, as such is required by law; and

   (4) Attested by the judge or clerk of the court.

(b) The court may order a conservator who is required to give bond to post bond for a period of time greater than one year, as may be appropriate in the circumstances. A surety on a bond posted pursuant to this subsection shall not be relieved of liability merely because of the expiration of the term of the bond but shall be subject to the provisions of law for the discharge of a surety applicable to other bonds.

(c) The bond shall be in a value equal to double the estimated value of the ward's estate; provided, however, that the bond shall be in an amount equal to the estimated value of the estate if secured by a licensed commercial surety authorized to transact business in this state. The value of the estate for purposes of the bond shall be determined without regard to the value of any real property or improvements thereon; but, upon conversion of the real property into personal property, a bond shall be given based upon the value of the estate including the value of the personal property into which the real property was converted.

(d) Substantial compliance with these requirements for the bond shall be deemed sufficient; and no bond shall be declared invalid by reason of any variation from these requirements as to payee, amount, or condition, where the manifest intention was to give bond as conservator and a breach of the fiduciary's duty as such has been proved.

Code 1981, § 29-5-41, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 29/HB 95.