A. If at or prior to a hearing on a petition alleging a person to be an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person, or if at any point in the course of a proceeding pursuant to said petition, the subject of the proceeding is not represented by counsel, the court may appoint an attorney as provided in this section, and the court may at any time subsequent to the filing of said petition appoint a guardian ad litem to assist the court in making a determination as to whether or not an attorney should be appointed for the subject of the proceeding. Where available, an attorney appointed by the court may be a public defender.
B. If the subject of the proceeding is present at the hearing on the petition and is not represented by counsel at said hearing:
1. The court shall explain on the record:
2. Following such explanation the court shall inquire of the subject of the proceeding whether he wishes to have an attorney appointed.
3. The court may make the explanation and inquiry required by this subsection, regarding the purpose and potential consequences of the proceeding and the appointment of an attorney, prior to the hearing on the petition. At the hearing on the petition the court shall include on the record the facts related to said explanation and inquiry, the determinations made by the court with respect thereto and the reasons for such determinations.
C. If the subject of the proceeding is not present at the hearing on a petition alleging him to be an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person and is not represented by counsel and the court has not made the explanation and inquiry as provided by paragraph 3 of subsection B of this section, the court shall make sufficient inquiry to determine affirmatively whether it would be in the best interest of the subject of the proceeding to appoint counsel to represent the subject of the proceeding at the hearing on the petition.
1. If the court determines that it is in the best interest of the subject of the proceeding to be represented by counsel, the court shall appoint an attorney.
2. If the court determines that the appointment of counsel is not in the best interest of the subject of the proceeding, the court shall not appoint an attorney.
D. Whenever the court determines that the appointment of counsel is not in the best interests of the subject of the proceeding, or if the subject of the proceeding does not request the appointment of an attorney and the court determines that the subject of the proceeding is capable of making an informed decision regarding the appointment of counsel, the court shall explain on the record the reason for such determination.
E. 1. If an attorney is appointed, the court shall delay the hearing on the petition only for the period of time necessary for the attorney to prepare the case for the hearing but in no event less than five (5) days after such appointment.
2. The attorney appointed by the court shall be replaced by another attorney if:
3. An attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall contact the subject of the proceeding promptly after receiving notification of his appointment. An attorney appointed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be compensated pursuant to the provisions of Section 4-403 of this title.
F. 1. Except as provided by paragraph 2 of this subsection or as otherwise ordered by the court, the responsibility of an attorney appointed pursuant to the provisions of this section ceases upon the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian of the subject of the proceeding or when a determination not to appeal the decision is made. The court may appoint an attorney to represent a ward at any subsequent proceeding.
2. Whenever there is an appeal of a decision made subsequent to a hearing on a petition requesting the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian, the responsibility of an attorney appointed pursuant to this subsection continues with respect to the appeal until the conclusion of the appeal proceedings. Upon application of the attorney, the court may allow the attorney to withdraw from the case and shall appoint another attorney to represent the subject of the proceeding in any appeal proceedings.
G. In all cases where independent counsel is retained by or on behalf of the subject of the proceeding, the court shall make independent inquiry to determine whether counsel is independent and whether any conflict of interest exists which would preclude proper representation of the subject of the proceeding or which would be detrimental to the best interest of the subject of the proceeding. The court shall appoint other counsel where retained counsel is found not to be independent.
H. Proceedings brought pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be made a part of the record in the guardianship proceeding.
Added by Laws 1988, c. 329, § 44, eff. Dec. 1, 1988. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 323, § 30, operative July 1, 1990.
Structure Oklahoma Statutes
§30-1-103. Purpose of Act - Legislative intent.
§30-1-104. Existing guardianships or conservatorships - Compliance with Act - Court review of cases.
§30-1-106. Guardians ad litem excluded.
§30-1-108. Guardians classified.
§30-1-112. Persons and property subject to act - Power of appointment - Parental rights.
§30-1-113. Appointment of guardian - Jurisdiction.
§30-1-115. Venue - Priorities of jurisdiction - Transfer - Consolidation.
§30-1-116. Place of hearing - Order and decree.
§30-1-117. Guardians ad litem - Power to appoint - Appointment.
§30-1-118. Guardian of nonresident.
§30-1-119. Powers of guardian.
§30-1-121. Guardian of the property - Power - Fiduciary duty.
§30-1-122. Confidential information filed with court.
§30-1-123. Letters of guardianship.
§30-1-124. Guardianship and conservatorship handbook and duties summary.
§30-1-125. Computation of time.
§30-2-101. When guardian of minor to be appointed - Petition - Notice.
§30-2-102. Nominations of guardian.
§30-2-103. Nomination and appointment of guardian - Age of minor.
§30-2-104. Nomination of guardian by minor at 14 years of age - Approval of court.
§30-2-105. Appointment when ward's nominee ineligible.
§30-2-106. Appointment of parents as guardians.
§30-2-107. Guardian in charge of education.
§30-2-109. Conditions of appointment.
§30-2-110. Investments authorized.
§30-2-111. Contracts on lives of wards and beneficiaries of trust funds.
§30-2-112. Interest of guardian.
§30-2-113. When power of guardian appointed by parent ceases.
§30-2-114. Release of minor ward at majority.
§30-2-115. Limitation of discharge by court.
§30-2-116. Delivery of up to $10,000 of minor's estate to custodian, parent or minor.
§30-2-117. Custody by abandonment of a minor - Qualified relative.
§30-3-101. Petition for appointment of guardian.
§30-3-102. Nomination of guardians or alternate guardians by adult - Priorities of nominations.
§30-3-103. Nomination of guardian or limited guardian by will.
§30-3-105. Court appointment where nominee is unable, unwilling or cannot qualify to serve.
§30-3-106.1. Court-appointed advocates for vulnerable adults programs.
§30-3-108. Evaluations of subject of proceeding.
§30-3-109. Hearing on petition - Setting of date.
§30-3-111. Determination by court - Order appointing guardian - Explanation on record.
§30-3-112. Appointment of guardians or limited guardians.
§30-3-115. Appointment of special guardian - Powers - Duration - Bond - Removal.
§30-3-116. Proceedings to determine restoration to capacity.
§30-3-117. Presumption of capacity when guardian discharged without appointment of another.
§30-3-118. Duties and powers of guardian or limited guardian.
§30-3-119. Limitation of powers of guardian.
§30-3-120. Proposed plan for care and treatment of ward.
§30-3-122. Proposed plan for management of financial resources of ward.
§30-3-123. Sale or lease of homestead of incapacitated or partially incapacitated person.
§30-3-124. Sale or lease of real property by guardian - Approval - Joinder of spouse.
§30-3-125. Application - Sections 60 and 61 cumulative.
§30-3-212. Appointment of conservator - Consent necessary.
§30-3-213. Persons ineligible for appointment as conservator.
§30-3-214. Care, custody and management of estate - Bond.
§30-3-215. Powers and duties of conservator - Jurisdiction of court.
§30-3-216. Discharge of conservator - Accounting.
§30-3-217. Compensation of conservator.
§30-3-218. Subsequent appointment of guardian of ward - Effect on estate.
§30-3-219. Limitation on right of ward to contract.
§30-3-220. Validation of prior conservatorships.
§30-3-303. Communication between courts.
§30-3-304. Requests between courts in guardianship or protective proceedings.
§30-3-305. Testimony of a witness located in another state.
§30-3-306. Definitions - Applicability.
§30-3-307. Jurisdictional basis for appointing a guardian or issuing a protective order.
§30-3-308. Jurisdictional requirements for appointing a guardian or issuing a protective order.
§30-3-309. Special jurisdiction.
§30-3-310. Continuing jurisdiction over proceeding.
§30-3-311. Factors for declining jurisdiction.
§30-3-312. Jurisdiction acquired through unjustifiable conduct.
§30-3-313. Notice of petition in home state of respondent.
§30-3-314. Rules for filing of petitions in multiple states.
§30-3-315. Transfer of guardianship or conservatorship - Notification of petition.
§30-3-316. Confirmation of transfer of guardianship or conservatorship.
§30-3-317. Registration of out-of-state guardianship order.
§30-3-318. Registration of out-of-state protective order.
§30-3-319. Use of authorized powers.
§30-3-320. Applying and construing the act.
§30-3-321. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
§30-3-322. Application of act.
§30-4-101. Appointment as guardian of more than five wards prohibited - Exceptions.
§30-4-102. Violations - Punishment.
§30-4-105. Inquiry into suitability of person proposed to serve as guardian
§30-4-202. Request for security or bond - Suspension of powers - Order.
§30-4-203. Requirement of new bonds - Discharge of sureties on old bond.
§30-4-204. Preservation of bonds - Breach of condition - Actions on bonds.
§30-4-205. Limitation of action on bond - Effect of disability.
§30-4-301. Inventory and account of estate of ward - Appraisal - Waiver of inventory prohibited.
§30-4-304. Account by one of joint guardians.
§30-4-305. Report on guardianship of person - Requirements - attachments.
§30-4-401. Expenses and compensation of guardians.
§30-4-402. Joint guardians - Compensation.
§30-4-403. Compensation for attorneys, guardians ad litem and persons conducting evaluations.
§30-4-501. Appointment of more than one guardian - Bond.
§30-4-502. Two or more guardians.
§30-4-503. Death of joint guardian.
§30-4-601. Guardian for nonresident ward - Notice of hearing.
§30-4-602. Powers of nonresident's guardian same as in other cases.
§30-4-603. First appointment is exclusive.
§30-4-604. Bond of guardian of nonresident.
§30-4-605. Removal of property.
§30-4-606. Application for removal - Requirements.
§30-4-607. Order for removal discharges local guardian.
§30-4-703. Discharge and release.
§30-4-704. Service upon guardian - Duty of guardian.
§30-4-705. Management of estate - Income applied for support of ward - Sale of realty.
§30-4-707. Execution of waivers or consents for wards.
§30-4-708. Investment of money and proceeds of sales.
§30-4-710. Transfer of real or personal property – Protective arrangements.
§30-4-751. Income insufficient for maintenance - Sale of property necessary.
§30-4-752. Sale of property for investment.
§30-4-753. Proceeds of sale - Investment - Maintenance of ward and family.
§30-4-754. Petition for sale - Verification.
§30-4-755. Hearing, notice and order.
§30-4-756. Mailing or publication of order - Waiver of notice.
§30-4-757. Hearing upon order - Protests.
§30-4-758. Partition of real estate - Assent to - Approval of court.
§30-4-759. Sale of oil, gas, mining leases.
§30-4-760. Testimony - Witnesses - Attendance and examination of.
§30-4-761. Costs awarded prevailing party on hearing of objections to order.
§30-4-762. Order for sale - Public or private sale.
§30-4-763. Sale bond by guardian.
§30-4-764. Sales governed by same law as in estates of decedents.
§30-4-765. Order in force for one year only.
§30-4-766. Terms of sale - Security.
§30-4-767. Limitation of action for recovery of estate sold - Disability and removal thereof.
§30-4-768. Exchange of property held by ward or wards in common - Notice.
§30-4-769. Sale of perishable property - Report - Good faith determination of perishability.
§30-4-770. Former leases legalized.
§30-4-801. Removal of guardians.
§30-4-804. Termination of guardianship when unnecessary.
§30-4-805. Distribution of personal property of intestate ward.
§30-4-901. Civil liability of guardians or petitioners - Damages.
§30-4-902. Citation for concealment or embezzlement.
§30-4-903. Reporting of abuse, neglect or exploitation - Violation and penalty - Civil liability.
§30-4-904. Concealment or removal from jurisdiction of certain persons.
§30-6-101. Short title – Purpose – Office of Public Guardian – Powers and duties.
§30-6-102. Public guardianship pilot program – Evaluating board.