Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 997 amends provisions of the Texas Probate Code relating to the administration of guardianships to delete the requirement that the social security number of a proposed ward and of the prospective guardian be included on an application for the appointment of a guardian. The act requires that persons designated to serve as guardians of a proposed ward be notified by the county clerk of the filing of a guardianship action and allows a court to request from an applicant or court-appointed fiduciary information identifying the applicant, ward, or guardian. The act also provides for the expenditure of funds from a ward's estate to be used for the education and maintenance of the ward's spouse or dependent and specifies certain persons to whom a guardian is authorized to make gifts.