Maine Revised Statutes
Part 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
18-C §5-102. Definitions

§5-102. Definitions
As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
1. Adult. "Adult" means an individual at least 18 years of age or an emancipated individual under 18 years of age.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2. Adult subject to conservatorship. "Adult subject to conservatorship" means an adult for whom a conservator has been appointed under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3. Adult subject to guardianship. "Adult subject to guardianship" means an adult for whom a guardian has been appointed under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4. Best interest of the minor. "Best interest of the minor" means the standard of the best interest of the child according to the factors set forth in Title 19‑A, section 1653, subsection 3.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
5. Claim. "Claim" includes a claim against an individual or conservatorship estate, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
6. Conservator. "Conservator" means a person appointed by a court to make decisions with respect to the property or financial affairs of an individual subject to conservatorship. "Conservator" includes a coconservator.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
7. Conservatorship estate. "Conservatorship estate" means the property subject to conservatorship under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
8. Full conservatorship. "Full conservatorship" means a conservatorship that grants the conservator all powers available under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
9. Full guardianship. "Full guardianship" means a guardianship that grants the guardian all powers available under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
10. Guardian. "Guardian" means a person appointed by a court to make decisions with respect to the personal affairs of an individual. "Guardian" includes a coguardian but does not include a guardian ad litem.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
11. Guardian ad litem. "Guardian ad litem" means a person appointed to inform the court about, and to represent, the needs and best interest of an individual.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
12. Individual subject to conservatorship. "Individual subject to conservatorship" means an adult or minor for whom a conservator has been appointed.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
13. Individual subject to guardianship. "Individual subject to guardianship" means an adult or minor for whom a guardian has been appointed.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
14. Less restrictive alternative. "Less restrictive alternative" means an approach to meeting an individual's needs that restricts fewer rights than would the appointment of a guardian or conservator. "Less restrictive alternative" includes supported decision making, appropriate technological assistance, appointment of an agent by the individual, including appointment under a power of attorney for health care or power of attorney for finances, or appointment of a representative payee.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
15. Letters of office. "Letters of office" means judicial certification of guardianship or conservatorship.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
16. Limited conservatorship. "Limited conservatorship" means a conservatorship that grants the conservator less than all powers available under this Act, grants powers over only certain property or otherwise restricts the powers of the conservator.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
17. Limited guardianship. "Limited guardianship" means a guardianship that grants the guardian less than all powers available under this Act or otherwise restricts the powers of the guardian.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
18. Minor. "Minor" means an unemancipated individual who is under 18 years of age.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
19. Minor subject to conservatorship. "Minor subject to conservatorship" means a minor for whom a conservator has been appointed under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
20. Minor subject to guardianship. "Minor subject to guardianship" means a minor for whom a guardian has been appointed under this Act.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
21. Parent. "Parent" means a person who has established a parent-child relationship with the child under Title 19‑A, chapter 61 and whose parental rights have not been terminated.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
22. Person. "Person" means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality or other legal entity.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
23. Property. "Property" means anything that may be the subject of ownership and includes both real and personal property, tangible and intangible, or any interest therein.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
24. Protective arrangement instead of conservatorship. "Protective arrangement instead of conservatorship" means a court order entered under section 5‑503.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
25. Protective arrangement instead of guardianship. "Protective arrangement instead of guardianship" means a court order entered under section 5‑502.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
26. Protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship. "Protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship" means a court order entered under Part 5, including an order authorizing a single transaction or more than one related transaction.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 209, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
27. Record. "Record," used as a noun, 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.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
28. Respondent. "Respondent" means an individual for whom appointment of a guardian or conservator or a protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship is sought.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
29. Sign. "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
A. To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound or process. [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).]
30. State. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. "State" includes an Indian tribe or band recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
31. Suitable. "Suitable," with respect to a guardian for a minor, means that the guardian can provide a safe and appropriate residence for the minor, understands and is prepared to follow the terms of the appointment and understands and can address the minor's needs and protect the minor from harm.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
32. Supported decision making. "Supported decision making" means assistance from one or more persons of an individual's choosing:
A. In understanding the nature and consequences of potential personal and financial decisions that enables the individual to make the decisions; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. When consistent with the individual's wishes, in communicating a decision once it is made. [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).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).