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Guardianship & Conservatorship

Thank you to the volunteer members of the State Bar of South Dakota who have provided the guardianship and conservatorship training below.

In 2016, the South Dakota Legislature instituted training requirements for new guardian and conservators under SDCL 29A-5-119. The training is provided by the State Bar and provides basic information about the role and obligations of a guardian and conservator, respectively.

In 2021, the Legislature extended these training requirements to all court appointed guardians and conservators, whenever appointed. All guardians and conservators appointed prior to July 1, 2021, who have not previously completed the training will now be required to complete the training and file a certificate of completion with the court prior to November 1, 2021.

In addition, for guardians and conservators appointed after July 1, 2021, this training must be completed and certificate(s) of completion filed with the court prior to appointment by the court. Also beginning July 1, 2021, guardians must include in their annual report to the court the date of completion of the training, unless the training requirement has been waived by the court. This requirement also applies to conservators who must include in their annual accounting to the court the date on which the training was completed unless the annual accounting has been waived or modified by the court, or the training requirement has been waived by the court.

The training requirement can be waived by the court for good cause shown. If the training requirement is not waived and the previously-appointed guardian or conservator does not complete the required training within the required timeframe, this failure can be cause for removal of the guardian or conservator.

Please note! State Bar of South Dakota staff are unable to provide the public with legal advice, or technical support.

Guardianship Training

Please read all instructions thoroughly before proceeding!

Instructions:
1. Please click on the video link below and view the training in its entirety.
2. Once you have completed the video, please download the forms and documents below the video link to save for your records.
3. Click the link below to submit proof that you have watched the video or download the Guardianship Training Printout and mail the Proof of Attendance in to the clerk of court's office in the county where the guardianship record is located.

Guardianship/Conservatorship Training Video


Please download the following forms and documents to save for your records:
GDN Training Outline | Blank Annual Report 

If you or your client are not able to access the video and documents online please call the bar office at 605-224-7554 and we will mail you the needed information, or download a GDN Training Outline to give to your client.

Conservatorship Training
Additional Resources

*Submitting proof of attendance includes answering questions about the training correctly and attesting that you watched the videos or read the script.

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