Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 52, December 28, 2024
(a)
Definitions. The words and phrases used in this rule shall
have the following meanings:
Clerk-The Clerk of the Orphans' Court.
The System-The Guardianship Tracking System,
or GTS, developed and administered by the Administrative Office as the
electronic filing system to be used for filing reports and inventories required
for guardianships of the person and guardianships of the estate, and for
tracking data related to all statewide guardianship cases of adult
incapacitated persons.
(b)
Participation and fees. The System is the exclusive method for
electronically filing required reports and inventories for guardianships of the
person, and for guardianships of the estate, and for tracking data related to
statewide guardianship cases of adult incapacitated persons. Court-appointed
guardians may file reports and inventories in either an electronic format or a
physical paper format. Guardians who elect to file in an electronic format
shall use the System to file reports and inventories with the Clerk of the
court where the matter was adjudicated.
(1) In
order to participate in the System, a court-appointed guardian shall establish
a UJS web portal account at
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us and
register for access by procedures established by the Administrative
Office.
(2) After access to the
System is obtained, the guardian bears the responsibility for all actions
associated with the guardian's user account.
(3) Establishment of an account by a guardian
shall constitute consent to participate in electronic filing, including
acceptance of electronic notices sent through the System. Use of the System by
a guardian shall constitute certification that the submission is
authorized.
(4) Any applicable
filing fees, as required by statute, court rule or order, shall be paid
electronically through the System at the time of submitting a filing. In
addition to any applicable filing fees, an online payment convenience fee for
use of the System may be imposed.
(c)
Filing.
(1) When a report or inventory is filed
electronically, the filing shall be submitted to the System at the UJS web
portal at
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us, in
accordance with this rule and any filing instructions as may otherwise be
provided at the web portal site.
(2) Electronic filing may be submitted at any
time (with the exception of times of periodic maintenance). The electronic
filing must be completed by 11:59:59 p.m. EST/EDT to be considered filed on
that day.
(3) The guardian shall be
responsible for any delay, disruption, and interruption of the electronic
signals, except when caused by the failure of the System's website.
(4) The date and time on which the filing was
submitted to the System shall be recorded by the System. The System shall
provide an electronic notification to the guardian when the filing has been
submitted.
(5) The date and time on
which the filing was accepted by the Clerk shall also be recorded by the
System. The System shall provide an electronic notification to the guardian
when the filing has been accepted by the Clerk.
(6) The submission and acceptance of an
electronic filing shall satisfy the reporting requirements of Pa. O.C. Rule
14.8. An electronic filing shall
be considered filed with the Clerk upon the date and time of the filer's
electronic submission, if the Clerk determines the requirements for filing are
met. If the Clerk determines the requirements for filing are not met, the Clerk
may take any action as permitted by law, including, but not limited to,
returning the submission for correction.
(7) Each Clerk shall determine whether
physical paper copies, or electronic PDF/A copies of electronically filed
reports and inventories must be maintained in order to comply with applicable
record retention schedules. Consult the County Records Manual and Rule 507(a)
for further information.
(8) When a
report or inventory is submitted in a physical paper format, the Clerk shall
ensure the information contained within the report or inventory is manually
entered into the System in order to ensure maximum data
collection.
(d)
Signature.
(1) The
electronic signature of the guardian, as required on the reports and
inventories, shall be in the following form: /s/ Chris L. Smith.
(2) The use of an electronic signature on
electronically filed reports and inventories shall constitute the guardian's
acknowledgement of, and agreement with, the verification statements contained
therein.
(e)
Notice of filing. Effective June 1, 2019, if required by Pa.
O.C. Rule
14.8(b), the
guardian shall be responsible for serving a notice of filing within ten days
after filing a report. Service shall be in accordance with Pa. O.C. Rule
4.3.