Section 29-7-12. Expenditure of ward's estate; insurance; title to new property

   (a) A VA guardian shall not apply any portion of the estate of the ward for the support, maintenance, or education of any person other than the ward, the ward's spouse, and the children of the ward who are legally dependent on the ward, except upon order of the court after a hearing, notice of which has been given by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the department not less than 30 days prior to a hearing on the petition, unless the department consents in writing to the petition, in which case no hearing need be had.

(b) No VA guardian shall name himself or herself as beneficiary of any insurance policy which insures the life of the ward. As to any insurance policy that is purchased after establishment of the VA guardianship where premiums are or have been paid from benefits, the VA guardian shall ensure that the beneficiary named is the estate of the ward.

(c) All property of a ward having a VA guardian which is purchased with benefits shall be titled in the name of the current VA guardian or any successor VA guardian for ( name of ward ), a beneficiary of the department, further indicating the fact of VA guardianship and the name of the beneficiary on any documents of title. Any such assets which should be prudently insured shall be insured with a policy of insurance denominated in the same manner.

Code 1981, § 29-7-12, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.