When will the court-appointed attorney be discharged?

The correct answer is that the court-appointed attorney will be discharged once the attorney reviews and approves the initial reports. This is crucial in the guardianship process because the attorney’s role is to ensure that all legal formalities are adhered to and that the interests of the ward are adequately represented in the early stages of guardianship.

The approval of the initial reports is a significant milestone, as it indicates that the guardian has complied with the court’s directives and that the arrangements made on behalf of the ward are being appropriately managed. Once this review and approval take place, the attorney's role in overseeing the establishment of the guardianship diminishes, leading to their discharge.

The other options do not align with the established procedure. The filing of the initial guardian plan is an important step but does not by itself conclude the attorney's involvement. Similarly, while the guardian's submission of annual reports is vital for accountability, it does not lead to the termination of the attorney's role at that stage, as the attorney’s duties typically conclude earlier. The statement that the attorney is discharged once the guardianship is no longer necessary is also inaccurate, as it overlooks the specific point at which the attorney’s responsibilities are fulfilled within the guardianship process.