Bill Text: AZ HB2426 | 2010 | Forty-ninth Legislature 2nd Regular | Chaptered
Bill Title: Adult guardianship and protective proceedings
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-04-20 - Governor Signed [HB2426 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2010-HB2426-Chaptered.html
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House Engrossed |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Forty-ninth Legislature Second Regular Session 2010
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HOUSE BILL 2426 |
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AN ACT
Amending title 14, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 12; relating to the uniform adult guardianship and protective proceedings jurisdiction act.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 14, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 12, to read:
CHAPTER 12
UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE
PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
14-12101. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the uniform adult guardianship and protective proceedings jurisdiction act.
14-12102. Definitions
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Adult" means an individual who is at least eighteen years of age.
2. "Conservator" means a person appointed by the court to manage the estate of an adult protected person, including a person appointed under chapter 5 of this title.
3. "Court of this state" or "court in this state" means the superior court.
4. "Guardian" means a person who has qualified as a guardian of an incapacitated person pursuant to testamentary or court appointment and includes a person who is appointed under chapter 5, article 3 of this title. Guardian does not include a guardian ad litem or a representative who is appointed pursuant to section 14-1408.
5. "Guardianship order" means an order appointing a guardian.
6. "Guardianship proceeding" means a judicial proceeding in which an order for the appointment of a guardian is sought or has been issued.
7. "Incapacitated person" means an adult for whom a guardian has been appointed.
8. "Person", except in the term incapacitated person or protected person, means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality or any other legal or commercial entity.
9. "Protected person" means an adult for whom a protective order has been issued.
10. "Protective order" means an order appointing a conservator or other order related to management of an adult's property.
11. "Protective proceeding" means a judicial proceeding in which a protective order is sought or has been issued.
12. "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
13. "Respondent" means an adult for whom a protective order or the appointment of a guardian is sought.
14. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
14-12103. International applications of act
A court of this state may treat a foreign country as if it were a state for the purpose of applying this article and articles 2, 3 and 5 of this chapter.
14-12104. Communication between courts
A. A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a proceeding arising under this chapter. The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. Except as provided in subsection B, the court shall make a record of the communication. The record may be limited to the fact that the communication occurred.
B. Courts may communicate concerning schedules, calendars, court records and other administrative matters without making a record.
14-12105. Cooperation between courts
A. In a guardianship or protective proceeding in this state, a court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to do any of the following:
1. Hold an evidentiary hearing.
2. Order a person in that state to produce evidence or give testimony pursuant to procedures of that state.
3. Order that an evaluation or assessment be made of the respondent.
4. Order any appropriate investigation of a person involved in a proceeding.
5. Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript or other record of a hearing under paragraph 1 or any other proceeding, any evidence otherwise produced under paragraph 2, and any evaluation or assessment prepared in compliance with an order under paragraph 3 or 4.
6. Issue any order necessary to ensure the appearance in the proceeding of a person whose presence is necessary for the court to make a determination, including the respondent or the incapacitated or protected person.
7. Issue an order authorizing the release of medical, financial, criminal or other relevant information in that state, including protected health information as defined in 45 Code of Federal Regulations section 164.504, as amended.
B. If a court of another state in which a guardianship or protective proceeding is pending requests assistance of the kind provided in subsection A, a court of this state has jurisdiction for the limited purpose of granting the request or making reasonable efforts to comply with the request.
14-12106. Taking testimony in another state
A. In a guardianship or protective proceeding, in addition to other procedures that may be available, testimony of a witness who is located in another state may be offered by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a witness be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms on which the testimony is to be taken.
B. In a guardianship or protective proceeding, a court in this state may permit a witness located in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone or audiovisual or other electronic means. A court of this state shall cooperate with the court of the other state in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
C. Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the best evidence rule.
ARTICLE 2. JURISDICTION
14-12201. Definitions; significant connection factors
A. In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Emergency" means a circumstance that likely will result in substantial harm to a respondent's health, safety or welfare, and for which the appointment of a guardian is necessary because no other person has authority and is willing to act on the respondent's behalf.
2. "Home state" means the state in which the respondent was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months immediately before the filing of a petition for a protective order or the appointment of a guardian or, if none, the state in which the respondent was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months ending within the six months before the filing of the petition.
3. "Significant-connection state" means a state, other than the home state, with which a respondent has a significant connection other than mere physical presence and in which substantial evidence concerning the respondent is available.
B. In determining under section 14-12203 and section 14-12301, subsection E whether a respondent has a significant connection with a particular state, the court shall consider:
1. The location of the respondent's family and other persons required to be notified of the guardianship or protective proceeding.
2. The length of time the respondent at any time was physically present in the state and the duration of any absence.
3. The location of the respondent's property.
4. The extent to which the respondent has ties to the state such as voter registration, state or local tax return filing, vehicle registration, driver license, social relationship and receipt of services.
14-12202. Exclusive basis
This article provides the exclusive jurisdictional basis for a court of this state to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for an adult.
14-12203. Jurisdiction
A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for a respondent if any of the following is true:
1. This state is the respondent's home state.
2. On the date the petition is filed, this state is a significant‑connection state and either:
(a) The respondent does not have a home state or a court of the respondent's home state has declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum.
(b) The respondent has a home state, a petition for an appointment or order is not pending in a court of that state or another significant‑connection state and, before the court makes the appointment or issues the order:
(i) A petition for an appointment or order is not filed in the respondent's home state.
(ii) An objection to the court's jurisdiction is not filed by a person required to be notified of the proceeding.
(iii) The court in this state concludes that it is an appropriate forum under the factors set forth in section 14-12206, subsection C.
3. This state does not have jurisdiction under either paragraph 1 or 2 of this section, the respondent's home state and all significant-connection states have declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is the more appropriate forum and jurisdiction in this state is consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States.
4. The requirements for special jurisdiction under section 14-12204 are met.
14-12204. Special jurisdiction
A. A court of this state lacking jurisdiction under section 14-12203 has special jurisdiction to do any of the following:
1. Appoint a guardian in an emergency for a term not exceeding ninety days for a respondent who is physically present in this state.
2. Issue a protective order with respect to real or tangible personal property located in this state.
3. Appoint a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated or protected person for whom a provisional order to transfer the proceeding from another state has been issued under procedures similar to section 14-12301.
B. If a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency is brought in this state and this state was not the respondent's home state on the date the petition was filed, the court shall dismiss the proceeding at the request of the court of the home state, if any, whether dismissal is requested before or after the emergency appointment.
14-12205. Exclusive and continuing jurisdiction
Except as otherwise provided in section 14-12204, a court that has appointed a guardian or issued a protective order consistent with this chapter has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over the proceeding until it is terminated by the court or the appointment or order expires by its own terms.
14-12206. Appropriate forum
A. A court of this state that has jurisdiction under section 14-12203 to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.
B. If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subsection A of this section, it shall either dismiss or stay the proceeding. The court may impose any condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order be filed promptly in another state.
C. In determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including:
1. Any expressed preference of the respondent.
2. Whether abuse, neglect or exploitation of the respondent has occurred or is likely to occur and which state could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect or exploitation.
3. The length of time the respondent was physically present in or was a legal resident of this state or another state.
4. The distance of the respondent from the court in each state.
5. The financial circumstances of the respondent's estate.
6. The nature and location of the evidence.
7. The ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence.
8. The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding.
9. If an appointment were made, the court's ability to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.
14-12207. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct
A. If at any time a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order because of unjustifiable conduct, the court may:
1. Decline to exercise jurisdiction.
2. Exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of fashioning an appropriate remedy to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the respondent or the protection of the respondent's property or prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in a court of another state having jurisdiction.
3. Continue to exercise jurisdiction after considering:
(a) The extent to which the respondent and all persons required to be notified of the proceedings have acquiesced in the exercise of the court's jurisdiction.
(b) Whether it is a more appropriate forum than the court of any other state under the factors prescribed in section 14-12206, subsection C.
(c) Whether the court of any other state would have jurisdiction under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards prescribed in section 14-12203.
B. If a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order because a party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in unjustifiable conduct, it may assess against that party necessary and reasonable expenses, including attorney fees, investigative fees, court costs, communication expenses, witness fees and expenses, and travel expenses. The court may not assess fees, costs or expenses of any kind against this state or a governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality of this state unless authorized by law other than this chapter.
14-12208. Notice of proceeding
If a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is brought in this state and this state was not the respondent's home state on the date the petition was filed, in addition to complying with the notice requirements of this state, notice of the petition must be given to those persons who would be entitled to notice of the petition if a proceeding were brought in the respondent's home state. The notice must be given in the same manner as notice is required to be given pursuant to chapter 5 of this title.
14-12209. Proceedings in more than one state
Except for a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency or issuance of a protective order limited to property located in this state under section 14-12204, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2, if a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in this state and in another state and neither petition has been dismissed or withdrawn, the following rules apply:
1. If the court in this state has jurisdiction under section 14-12203, it may proceed with the case unless a court in another state acquires jurisdiction under provisions similar to those prescribed in section 14-12203 before the appointment or issuance of the order.
2. If the court in this state does not have jurisdiction under section 14-12203, whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time before the appointment or issuance of the order, the court shall stay the proceeding and communicate with the court in the other state. If the court in the other state has jurisdiction, the court in this state shall dismiss the petition unless the court in the other state determines that the court in this state is a more appropriate forum.
ARTICLE 3. TRANSFER OF GUARDIANSHIP OR CONSERVATORSHIP
14-12301. Transfer of guardianship or conservatorship to another state
A. Any interested person may petition the court to transfer the guardianship or conservatorship to another state.
B. On the filing of a petition pursuant to subsection A of this section, the court in this state shall set a hearing on the petition and the petitioner shall give notice of the hearing to the persons who pursuant to chapter 5 of this title would be entitled to notice of the hearing on a petition for the appointment of a guardian or conservator.
C. On the court's own motion or on the filing of an objection to a petition filed pursuant to subsection B of this section, the hearing on a petition filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be set as an appearance hearing, otherwise the hearing shall be set as a nonappearance hearing.
D. After the hearing held pursuant to subsection C of this section, the court in this state shall enter an order authorizing the guardian or another appropriate person to petition for guardianship in the other state if the court in this state finds all of the following:
1. The incapacitated person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move permanently to the other state.
2. An objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the incapacitated person.
3. Plans for care and services for the incapacitated person in the other state are reasonable and sufficient.
E. After the hearing held pursuant to subsection C of this section, the court in this state shall enter an order authorizing the conservator or another appropriate person to petition for conservatorship in the other state if the court finds all of the following:
1. The protected person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move permanently to the other state, or the protected person has a significant connection to the other state considering the factors prescribed in section 14-12201, subsection B.
2. An objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the protected person.
3. Adequate arrangements will be made for management of the protected person's property.
F. After notice and a hearing, the court in this state shall enter an order confirming the transfer and terminating the guardianship or conservatorship on its receipt of both of the following:
1. A certified copy of the letters of office or other authority indicating appointment of a guardian or conservator, or both, issued by the appropriate authority in the state to which the proceeding is to be transferred.
2. The documents required to terminate a guardianship or conservatorship in this state, including any required accounting for the period of administration before the transfer of jurisdiction.
14-12302. Accepting guardianship or conservatorship transferred from another state
A. To confirm transfer of a guardianship or conservatorship transferred to this state under provisions similar to those prescribed in section 14-12301, an interested person may petition the court in this state to accept the guardianship or conservatorship. The petition must include a certified copy of the other state's order authorizing the guardian or conservator to petition the court of this state for guardianship, conservatorship or other protective order.
B. Notice of a petition under subsection A of this section must be given to those persons who would be entitled to notice if the petition were a petition for the appointment of a guardian or entry of a protective order in both the transferring state and this state. The notice must be given in the same manner as notice of initial guardianship proceedings and protective proceedings is required to be given pursuant to chapter 5 of this title.
C. On the court's own motion or on the filing of an objection to a petition pursuant to subsection A of this section, the hearing on a petition filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be set as an appearance hearing, otherwise the hearing shall be set as a nonappearance hearing.
D. After the hearing held pursuant to subsection C of this section, the court in this state shall enter an order provisionally granting a petition filed under subsection A of this section unless either:
1. An objection to the petition is made and the objector establishes that transfer of the proceeding would be contrary to the best interests of the incapacitated or protected person.
2. The proposed guardian or the proposed conservator is ineligible for appointment in this state.
E. The court in this state shall enter an order accepting the proceeding and appointing a guardian or conservator in this state on its receipt from the court from which the proceeding is being transferred of a final order issued under provisions similar to section 14-12301 transferring the proceeding to this state.
F. Not later than ninety days after entry of an order accepting transfer of a guardianship or conservatorship, the court in this state shall determine whether the guardianship or conservatorship needs to be modified to conform to the law of this state.
G. In granting a petition under this section, the court in this state shall recognize a guardianship or conservatorship order from the other state, including the determination of the incapacitated or protected person's incapacity and the appointment of the guardian or conservator.
H. The denial by a court of this state of a petition to accept a guardianship or conservatorship transferred from another state does not affect the ability of an interested person to seek appointment as a guardian or conservator in this state under chapter 5 of this title if the court in this state has jurisdiction to make an appointment other than by reason of the order of another state's court authorizing the transfer of the guardianship or conservatorship.
ARTICLE 4. REGISTRATION AND RECOGNITION OF ORDERS FROM OTHER STATE
14-12401. Registration of guardianship orders
If a guardian has been appointed in another state and a petition for the appointment of a guardian is not pending in this state, the guardian appointed in the other state, after giving notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the guardianship order in this state by filing as a foreign judgment in a court, in any appropriate county of this state, certified copies of the order and letters of office.
14-12402. Registration of protective orders
If a conservator has been appointed in another state and a petition for a protective order is not pending in this state, the conservator appointed in the other state, after giving notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the protective order in this state by filing as a foreign judgment in a court of this state, in any county in which property belonging to the protected person is located, certified copies of the order, the letters of office and of any then current bond required by the appointing court.
14-12403. Effect of registration
A. On registration of a guardianship or conservatorship or any other protective order from another state, the guardian or conservator may exercise in this state all powers authorized in the order of appointment except as prohibited under the laws of this state, including maintaining actions and proceedings in this state and, if the guardian or conservator is not a resident of this state, subject to any conditions imposed on nonresident parties.
B. A court of this state may grant any relief available under this chapter and other law of this state to enforce a registered order.
ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14-12501. Uniformity of application and construction
In applying and construing this chapter, the courts shall consider the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among the states that enact the uniform adult guardianship and protective proceedings jurisdiction act.
14-12502. Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act
This chapter modifies, limits and supersedes the electronic signatures in global and national commerce act (15 United States Code section 7001, et sec.) but does not modify, limit or supersede section 101(c) of that act (15 United States code section 7001(c)) or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of that act (15 United States code section 7003(b)).
14-12503. Transitional provision
A. This chapter applies to guardianship and protective proceedings begun on or after the effective date of this chapter.
B. Articles 1, 3 and 4 of this chapter and sections 14-12501 and 14‑12502 apply to proceedings begun before the effective date of this chapter regardless of whether a guardianship or protective order has been issued.
