2019 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 18-C: PROBATE CODE
Article 5: MAINE UNIFORM GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS
Part 3: GUARDIANSHIP OF ADULT
18-C §5-317. Guardian's report; monitoring of guardianship

§5-317. Guardian's report; monitoring of guardianship

1.  Report; contents.  A guardian for an adult at least annually shall submit to the court a report in a record regarding the condition of the adult and accounting for money and other property in the guardian's possession or subject to the guardian's control. Each report must state or contain:  

A. The mental, physical and social condition of the adult;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

B. The living arrangements of the adult during the reporting period;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

C. A summary of the supported decision making, technological assistance, medical services, educational and vocational services and other supports and services provided to the adult and the guardian's opinion as to the adequacy of the adult's care;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

D. A summary of the guardian's visits with the adult, including the dates of the visits and the visits of agents designated by the guardian to visit on behalf of the guardian;   [PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §48 (AMD).]

E. Action taken on behalf of the adult;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

F. The extent to which the adult has participated in decision making;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

G. If the adult is living in a mental health facility or living in a facility that provides the adult with health care or other personal services, whether the guardian considers the facility's current plan for support, care, treatment or habilitation consistent with the adult's preferences, values, prior directions and best interest;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

H. Anything of more than de minimis value that the guardian, any individual who resides with the guardian or the spouse, domestic partner, parent, child or sibling of the guardian has received from an individual providing goods or services to the adult;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

I. If the guardian has delegated powers to an agent, the powers delegated and the reason for the delegation;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

J. Any business relation the guardian has with a person the guardian has paid or a person that has benefited from the property of the adult;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

K. A copy of the guardian's most recent plan and a statement whether the guardian has deviated from the plan and, if so, how the guardian has deviated and why;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

L. Plans for future care and support;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

M. A recommendation as to the need for continued guardianship and any recommended change in the scope of the guardianship;   [PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §49 (AMD).]

N. Whether any coguardian or successor guardian appointed to serve when a designated future event occurs is alive and able to serve; and   [PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §49 (AMD).]

O. The fees that are paid to the guardian for the year or still outstanding.   [PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §50 (NEW).]

[PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §§48-50 (AMD); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

2.  Appointment of visitor.  The court may appoint a visitor to review a report submitted under this section, interview the guardian or adult subject to guardianship or investigate any other matter involving the guardianship.  

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

3.  Notice of filing of report; copy.  Notice of the filing of a guardian's report under this section, together with a copy of the report, must be given to the adult subject to guardianship, all persons entitled to notice under section 5-310, subsection 5 or a subsequent order and any other person as the court determines. The notice and report must be given not later than 14 days after the filing of the report.  

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

4.  System to monitor reports.  The court shall establish a system for monitoring reports submitted under this section and review each report at least annually to determine whether:  

A. The report provides sufficient information to establish the guardian has complied with the guardian's duties;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

B. The guardianship should continue; and   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

C. The guardian's requested fees, if any, should be approved.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

5.  Noncompliance; modification or termination.  If the court determines there is reason to believe a guardian for an adult has not complied with the guardian's duties or the guardianship should be modified or terminated, the court:  

A. Shall notify the adult, the guardian and all persons entitled to notice under section 5-310, subsection 5 or a subsequent order;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

B. May require additional information from the guardian;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

C. May appoint a visitor to interview the adult or guardian or investigate any matter involving the guardianship; and   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

D. May consider removing the guardian under section 5-318 or terminating the guardianship or changing the powers of the guardian or other terms of the guardianship under section 5-319.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

6.  Fees not reasonable.  If the court has reason to believe that fees requested by a guardian for an adult are not reasonable, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether to adjust the requested fees.  

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

7.  Approval of report.  A guardian for an adult may petition the court for approval of a report filed under this section. The court after review may approve the report. If, after notice and hearing, the court approves the report, there is a rebuttable presumption the report is accurate as to a matter adequately disclosed in the report.  

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

8.  Application to existing guardianship.  For guardianships established prior to September 1, 2019, in which there is no existing order to file an annual report, the guardian is not subject to the requirements for filing an annual report until so ordered by the court.  

[PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §51 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §§48-51 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).