2018 Vermont Statutes
Title 14 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations
Chapter 111 - Guardianship
§ 3068 Hearing
§ 3068. Hearing
(a) The respondent, the petitioner and all other persons to whom notice has been given pursuant to section 3064 of this title may attend the hearing and testify. The respondent and the petitioner may subpoena, present and cross-examine witnesses, including those who prepared the evaluation. The court may exclude any person not necessary for the conduct of the hearing on motion of the respondent.
(b) The hearing shall be conducted in a manner consistent with orderly procedure and in a setting not likely to have a harmful effect on the mental or physical health of the respondent.
(c) The evaluation shall be received into evidence, if the persons who prepared the evaluation are available for the hearing or subject to service of subpoena. However, the court shall not be bound by the evidence contained in the evaluation, but shall make its determination upon the entire record. In all cases, the court shall make specific findings of fact, state separately its conclusions of law and direct the entry of an appropriate judgment.
(d) The petitioner may be represented by counsel in any proceedings brought under this chapter.
(e) If upon completion of the hearing and consideration of the record the court finds that the respondent is not a person in need of guardianship, it shall dismiss the petition and seal the records of the proceeding.
(f) If upon completion of the hearing and consideration of the record the court finds that the petitioner has proved by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent is a person in need of guardianship or will be a person in need of guardianship on attaining 18 years of age, it shall enter judgment specifying the powers of the guardian pursuant to sections 3069 and 3070 of this title and the duties of the guardian pursuant to section 3071 of this title.
(g) Any party to the proceeding before the court may appeal the court's decision in the manner provided in section 3080 of this title. (Added 1979, No. 76, § 15; amended 1983, No. 91, § 9; 2007, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
