Maine Revised Statutes
Part 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
18-C §5-106. Venue

§5-106. Venue
1. Guardianship proceeding for minor. Venue for a guardianship proceeding for a minor is in:
A. The county or division of this State in which the minor, the petitioner or a parent or guardian of the child resides or is present at the time the proceeding commences; or [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. The county or division of this State where another proceeding concerning the custody and parental rights of the minor is pending. [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).]
2. Guardianship proceeding or protective arrangement for adult. Venue for a guardianship proceeding or protective arrangement instead of guardianship for an adult is in:
A. The county of this State in which the respondent resides; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. If the respondent has been admitted to an institution by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the county in which the court is located; or [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C. In a proceeding for appointment of an emergency guardian of an adult, the county in which the respondent is present. [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).]
3. Conservatorship proceeding or protective arrangement. Venue for a conservatorship proceeding or protective arrangement instead of conservatorship is in:
A. The county of this State in which the respondent resides, whether or not a guardian has been appointed in another county or another jurisdiction; or [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. If the respondent does not reside in this State, any county of this State in which property of the respondent is located. [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).]
4. Proceedings in more than one county. If proceedings under this Act are brought in more than one county in this State, the court of the county in which the first proceeding is brought has the exclusive right to proceed unless the court determines venue is properly in another court or the interest of justice otherwise requires transfer of the proceeding.
[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).