RCW 11.130.305
Who may be guardian for adult—Order of priority.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, the court in appointing a guardian for an adult shall consider persons qualified to be guardian in the following order of priority:
(a) A guardian, other than a temporary or emergency guardian, currently acting for the respondent in another jurisdiction;
(b) A person nominated as guardian by the respondent, including the respondent's most recent nomination made in a power of attorney;
(c) An agent appointed by the respondent under a power of attorney for health care;
(d) A spouse or domestic partner of the respondent;
(e) A relative or other individual who has shown special care and concern for the respondent; and
(f) A certified professional guardian or conservator.
(2) If two or more persons have equal priority under subsection (1) of this section, the court shall select as guardian the person the court considers best qualified. In determining the best qualified person, the court shall consider the person's relationship with the respondent, the person's skills, the expressed wishes of the respondent, the extent to which the person and the respondent have similar values and preferences, and the likelihood the person will be able to perform the duties of a guardian successfully.
(3) The court, acting in the best interest of the respondent, may decline to appoint as guardian a person having priority under subsection (1) of this section and appoint a person having a lower priority or no priority.
(4) A person that provides paid services to the respondent, or an individual who is employed by a person that provides paid services to the respondent or is the spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child of an individual who provides or is employed to provide paid services to the respondent, may not be appointed as guardian unless:
(a) The individual is related to the respondent by blood, marriage, or adoption; or
(b) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is the best qualified person available for appointment and the appointment is in the best interest of the respondent.
(5) An owner, operator, or employee of a long-term care facility at which the respondent is receiving care may not be appointed as guardian unless the owner, operator, or employee is related to the respondent by blood, marriage, or adoption.
[ 2019 c 437 § 309.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 11 - Probate and Trust Law
Chapter 11.130 - Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act.
11.130.015 - Supplemental principles of law and equity applicable.
11.130.020 - Subject matter jurisdiction.
11.130.025 - Transfer of proceeding.
11.130.035 - Practice in court.
11.130.037 - Presumption of legal capacity.
11.130.040 - Letters of office.
11.130.045 - Effect of acceptance of appointment.
11.130.050 - Co-guardian—Co-conservator.
11.130.055 - Judicial appointment of successor guardian or successor conservator.
11.130.060 - Effect of death, removal, or resignation of guardian or conservator.
11.130.065 - Notice of hearing generally.
11.130.070 - Waiver of notice.
11.130.075 - Guardian ad litem.
11.130.080 - Request for notice.
11.130.085 - Disclosure of bankruptcy or criminal history.
11.130.095 - Multiple nominations.
11.130.100 - Compensation and expenses—In general.
11.130.105 - Compensation of guardian or conservator.
11.130.115 - Petition after appointment for instruction or ratification.
11.130.120 - Third-party acceptance of authority of guardian or conservator.
11.130.125 - Use of agent by guardian or conservator.
11.130.130 - Temporary substitute guardian or conservator.
11.130.135 - Registration of order—Effect.
11.130.140 - Grievance or complaint against guardian or conservator.
11.130.145 - Delegation by parent.
11.130.150 - Ex parte communications—Removal.
11.130.155 - Registry for guardians ad litem and visitors.
11.130.160 - Guardianship/conservatorship summary.
11.130.165 - Guardianship/conservatorship courthouse facilitator program.
11.130.175 - Guardianships involving veterans.
11.130.180 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
11.130.185 - Basis for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.190 - Petition for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.195 - Notice of hearing for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.200 - Attorney for minor or parent.
11.130.205 - Attendance and participation at hearing for appointment of guardian for minor.
11.130.210 - Custody orders—Background information to be consulted.
11.130.215 - Order of appointment—Priority of nominee—Limited guardianship for minor.
11.130.220 - Standby guardian for minor.
11.130.225 - Emergency guardian for minor.
11.130.230 - Duties of guardian for minor.
11.130.235 - Powers of guardian for minor.
11.130.240 - Removal of guardian for minor—Termination of guardianship—Appointment of successor.
11.130.245 - Prior court order validity.
11.130.250 - Application of the Indian child welfare act.
11.130.257 - Temporary support, restraining, and protective orders—Effect—Support debts to state.
11.130.259 - Order for relocation.
11.130.260 - Health insurance coverage—Conditions.
11.130.265 - Basis for appointment of guardian for adult.
11.130.270 - Petition for appointment of guardian for adult.
11.130.275 - Notice of hearing for appointment of guardian for adult.
11.130.280 - Appointment and role of court visitor.
11.130.285 - Appointment and role of attorney for adult.
11.130.290 - Professional evaluation.
11.130.295 - Attendance and rights at hearing.
11.130.300 - Confidentiality of records.
11.130.305 - Who may be guardian for adult—Order of priority.
11.130.310 - Order of appointment for guardian.
11.130.315 - Notice of order of appointment—Rights.
11.130.320 - Emergency guardian for adult.
11.130.325 - Duties of guardian for adult.
11.130.330 - Powers of guardian for adult.
11.130.335 - Special limitations on guardian's power.
11.130.345 - Guardian's report—Monitoring of guardianship.
11.130.350 - Removal of guardian for adult—Appointment of successor.
11.130.355 - Termination or modification of guardianship for adult.
11.130.360 - Basis for appointment of conservator.
11.130.365 - Petition for appointment of conservator.
11.130.370 - Notice and hearing for appointment of conservator.
11.130.375 - Order to preserve or apply property while proceeding pending.
11.130.380 - Appointment and role of court visitor.
11.130.385 - Appointment and role of attorney.
11.130.390 - Professional evaluation.
11.130.400 - Attendance and rights at hearing.
11.130.410 - Confidentiality of records.
11.130.415 - Who may be conservator—Order of priority.
11.130.420 - Order of appointment of conservator.
11.130.425 - Notice of order of appointment—Rights.
11.130.430 - Emergency conservator.
11.130.435 - Powers of conservator requiring court approval.
11.130.440 - Petition for order after appointment.
11.130.445 - Bond—Alternative verified receipt.
11.130.500 - Terms and requirements of bond.
11.130.505 - Duties of conservator.
11.130.510 - Conservator's plan.
11.130.515 - Inventory—Records.
11.130.520 - Administrative powers of conservator not requiring court approval.
11.130.525 - Distribution from conservatorship estate.
11.130.530 - Conservator's report and accounting—Monitoring.
11.130.535 - Attempted transfer of property by individual subject to conservatorship.
11.130.540 - Transaction involving conflict of interest.
11.130.545 - Protection of person dealing with conservator.
11.130.547 - Access of conservator to certain assets.
11.130.550 - Death of individual subject to conservatorship.
11.130.555 - Presentation and allowance of claim.
11.130.560 - Personal liability of conservator.
11.130.565 - Removal of conservator—Appointment of successor.
11.130.570 - Termination or modification of conservatorship.
11.130.575 - Transfer for benefit of minor without appointment of conservator.
11.130.580 - Authority for protective arrangement.
11.130.585 - Basis for protective arrangement instead of guardianship for adult.
11.130.590 - Basis for protective arrangement instead of conservatorship for adult or minor.
11.130.595 - Petition for protective arrangement.
11.130.600 - Notice and hearing.
11.130.605 - Appointment and role of court visitor.
11.130.610 - Appointment and role of attorney.
11.130.615 - Professional evaluation.
11.130.620 - Attendance and rights at hearing.
11.130.630 - Confidentiality of records.
11.130.635 - Appointment of special agent.
11.130.645 - Petition for guardianship for minor.
11.130.650 - Petition for guardianship, conservatorship, or protective arrangement.
11.130.655 - Notification of rights for adult subject to guardianship or conservatorship.
11.130.657 - Notification of petition for guardianship or conservatorship.
11.130.660 - Letters of office.
11.130.665 - Guardianship/conservatorship summary.
11.130.670 - Certified professional guardianship board—Grievances.
11.130.710 - Presumption of capacity.
11.130.720 - Authority of supporter.
11.130.730 - Disqualification of supporter.
11.130.735 - Access of supporter to personal information.
11.130.740 - Execution of agreement.
11.130.750 - Reliance on agreement—Limitation of liability.
11.130.755 - Reporting of suspected abuse, abandonment, neglect, exploitation.
11.130.900 - Uniformity of application and construction.
11.130.905 - Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.