I was awarded guardianship of estate for my grandson. I am required to post a $10k bond for the estate. After making a few calls to companies generated by an internet search, I talked to a nice lady who said I should be calling a local independent agent. The larger surety houses, like she works for, usually have mandatory minimums at around $250yr and since it is such a small bond it would be less expensive to go with a local agent, she guess about $50yr. The expense turns into real money at $250 a year for the next 15 years. It also appears that the court trusts me based on the case and some things my attorney outlined to them. Instead of a bond for the whole amount of the estate, the bond amount is the minimum.

1. Is it possible to self insure this bond by depositing my own funds in the tune of $10k somewhere where I will still make interest but the court retains possession if I default and thus the bond amount is satisfied?

2. Do I have to do the bond/ins in the state of Nevada where the guardianship was awarded or just an ins/bonding agent licensed in NV?

3. Anyone here a bonding agent that can help with this?

I am sure my attorney can answer or help with 1-3, but I'd like to hear the knowledge base of SIGforum just to see what gets ginned up.

4. Besides documenting all activities, keeping all receipts and following the direction of the court and the laws of the state of Nevada, anyone got any good general tips, do's, don'ts, or other pearls of wisdom in being a guardian of estate for a 3 1/2yr old who has more money than I do?

My experience is more than a decade ago and a different state so take it for what it's worth.

I seem to recall my insurance agent did something through my homeowners or some rider type policy. We still had to do an annual report but I did that easily with Quicken and never were called for any sort of review.

Social Security may have a survivors benefit too if this involves a death so be sure to check with them.