2018 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 18-C: PROBATE CODE
Article 5: UNIFORM GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS
Part 3: GUARDIANSHIP OF ADULT
18-C §5-310. Order of appointment (WHOLE SECTION TEXT EFFECTIVE 7/1/19)

§5-310. Order of appointment

(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)

(WHOLE SECTION TEXT EFFECTIVE 7/1/19)

1. Order contents. A court order appointing a guardian for an adult must clearly:

A. Include a finding that clear and convincing evidence has established that the identified needs of the respondent cannot be met by a protective arrangement instead of guardianship or other less restrictive alternatives, including use of appropriate supportive services, technological assistance or supported decision making; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

B. Include a finding that clear and convincing evidence established that the respondent was given proper notice of the hearing on the petition; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

C. State whether the adult subject to guardianship retains the right to vote and, if the adult does not retain the right to vote, include findings that support removing that right, which must include a finding that the adult cannot communicate, with or without support, a specific desire to participate in the voting process; and [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

D. State whether the adult subject to guardianship retains the right to marry and, if the adult's right to marry is subject to conditions or if the adult does not retain the right to marry, include findings that support the conditions on that right or the removal of that right. [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

[ 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF) .]

2. Rights retained. An adult subject to guardianship retains the right to vote unless the order under subsection 1 includes the findings required by subsection 1, paragraph C. An adult subject to guardianship retains the right to marry unless the order under subsection 1 includes the findings required by subsection 1, paragraph D.

[ 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF) .]

3. Basis for full guardianship. A court order establishing a full guardianship for an adult clearly must state the basis for granting a full guardianship and include specific findings that support the conclusion that a limited guardianship would not meet the functional needs of the adult subject to guardianship.

[ 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF) .]

4. Limited guardianship; powers granted to guardian. A court order establishing a limited guardianship for an adult must state clearly the powers granted to the guardian.

[ 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF) .]

5. Notice; access to reports and plans. The court shall, as part of any order establishing a guardianship for an adult, identify any person that subsequently is entitled to:

A. Notice of the rights of the adult subject to guardianship; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

B. Notice of a change in the primary dwelling of the adult subject to guardianship; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

C. Notice that the guardian has delegated:

(1) The power to manage the care of the adult subject to guardianship;

(2) The power to make decisions about where the adult subject to guardianship lives;

(3) The power to make major medical decisions on behalf of the adult subject to guardianship;

(4) Any power that requires court approval under section 5-315; or

(5) Substantially all powers of the guardian. [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

D. Notice that the guardian will be unavailable to visit the adult subject to guardianship for more than 2 months or unable to perform the guardian's duties for more than one month; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

E. A copy of the guardian's report and plan; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

F. Access to court records pertaining to the guardianship; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

G. Notice of the death or significant change in the condition of the adult subject to guardianship; [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

H. Notice that the court has limited or modified the powers of the guardian; and [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

I. Notice of the guardian's removal. [2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).]

[ 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF) .]

6. Entitled to notice; exceptions. A spouse, a domestic partner and the adult children of the adult subject to guardianship are entitled to notice under subsection 5 unless the court determines notice would be contrary to the preferences or prior directions of the adult subject to guardianship or not in the best interest of the adult.

[ 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF).