29A-5-312. Hearing for alleged person in need of protection--Duty of jury--Duty of court.
The hearing on the petition to appoint a guardian or conservator may be held at such convenient place as the court directs, including the place where the person alleged to need protection is located. The hearing may be closed to the public on the request of the person alleged to need protection, the person's attorney, or on the court's own motion. The proposed guardian or conservator shall attend the hearing except for good cause shown. Any individual or entity may apply for permission to participate at the hearing, and the court shall grant the request if reasonably satisfied that the applicant's participation would be in the best interests of the person alleged to need protection.
The person alleged to need protection is entitled to attend the hearing, to oppose the petition, to be represented by an attorney of his own choice, to demand a jury trial, to present evidence, to compel the attendance of witnesses and to confront and cross-examine all witnesses. If present at the hearing and if not represented by an attorney, the court shall orally inform the person alleged to need protection of these rights, of the contents of the petition, and of the nature, purpose, and legal effect of the appointment of a guardian or conservator.
The sole responsibility of the jury, if requested, shall be to determine whether the person alleged to need protection is a person for whom a guardian or conservator may be appointed. The standard of proof to be applied in determining whether the person alleged to need protection is a person for whom a guardian or conservator may be appointed shall be that of clear and convincing evidence.
The determination as to whether a guardian or conservator will be appointed, the type thereof, and the specific areas of protection, management and assistance to be granted, shall be for the court alone to decide. In making that determination, the court shall consider the suitability of the proposed guardian or conservator, the limitations of the person alleged to need protection, the development of the person's maximum feasible self-reliance and independence, the availability of less restrictive alternatives, and the extent to which it is necessary to protect the person from neglect, exploitation, or abuse.
The court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of any orders entered at the hearing if requested by the person alleged to need protection, by the person's attorney, or by any other interested person.
Source: SL 1993, ch 213, §40; SDCL 30-36-40; SL 1995, ch 167, §181.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 29A - Uniform Probate Code
Chapter 05 - South Dakota Guardianship And Conservatorship Act
Section 29A-5-101 - Citation of chapter.
Section 29A-5-102 - Definition of terms.
Section 29A-5-103 - Application of chapter.
Section 29A-5-104 - Application of circuit court rules of procedure.
Section 29A-5-106.1 - Applicability of §§ 29A-5-106, 29A-5-106.1 and chapter 25-5.
Section 29A-5-108 - Filing petition for appointment--Jurisdiction.
Section 29A-5-109 - Transfer of jurisdiction following appointment.
Section 29A-5-110 - Appointment of individual or entity--Qualifications.
Section 29A-5-111 - Filing of acceptance and bond--Amount of bond--Notice of nonrenewal.
Section 29A-5-112 - Action for breach of bond--Time limit.
Section 29A-5-113 - Designation of agent for non-resident guardian or conservator.
Section 29A-5-114 - Petition for appointment by guardian or conservator appointed in another state.
Section 29A-5-117 - Appointment of attorney, guardian ad litem, or court representative.
Section 29A-5-118 - Effect--Appointment--Guardian--Conservator--Minor--Protected Person.
Section 29A-5-119 - Training curricula for persons appointed as guardians and conservators.
Section 29A-5-201 - Appointment of guardian or conservator of minor.
Section 29A-5-202 - Nomination of guardian or conservator by minor or parent.
Section 29A-5-203 - Who may file petition for appointment--Contents of petition.
Section 29A-5-204 - Notice of appointment hearing--Exception.
Section 29A-5-206 - Filing of minor's financial statement.
Section 29A-5-207 - Certain documents to be sealed--Available to certain persons.
Section 29A-5-209 - Mailing copy of appointment order.
Section 29A-5-210 - Appointment of temporary guardian or conservator.
Section 29A-5-301 - Appointment of guardian or conservator of protected person.
Section 29A-5-303 - Persons for whom conservator may be appointed.
Section 29A-5-305 - Who may file petition--Contents of petition.
Section 29A-5-306 - Report to be included with petition--Contents.
Section 29A-5-307 - Filing financial statement of protected person.
Section 29A-5-308 - Notice of hearing for protected person.
Section 29A-5-309 - Contest of appointment by protected person.
Section 29A-5-310 - Duties of court representative.
Section 29A-5-311 - Protected person's pre-hearing record sealed.
Section 29A-5-312 - Hearing for alleged person in need of protection--Duty of jury--Duty of court.
Section 29A-5-313 - Mailing appointment order to protected person.
Section 29A-5-314 - Issuing letter of guardianship or conservatorship.
Section 29A-5-315 - Temporary guardian or conservator of protected person.
Section 29A-5-402 - Responsibility of guardian of protected person.
Section 29A-5-403 - Annual report of guardian of protected person.
Section 29A-5-404 - Responsibilities of minor's conservator.
Section 29A-5-405 - Responsibilities of conservator of protected person.
Section 29A-5-406 - Protective arrangements for minors or protected persons.
Section 29A-5-407 - Inventory of minor's or protected person's real and personal estate.
Section 29A-5-408 - Annual accounting of conservator.
Section 29A-5-409 - Waiver of accounting requirements--Change in frequency of accountings.
Section 29A-5-410 - Notice of hearing on petition for order subsequent to appointment.
Section 29A-5-411 - Powers of conservator.
Section 29A-5-412 - Confirmation of sale of real estate.
Section 29A-5-413 - Restrictions on conservator of minor or protected person.
Section 29A-5-414 - Liability of guardian for acts of minor or protected person.
Section 29A-5-416 - Multiple guardians--Majority concurrence.
Section 29A-5-417 - Presumption of authority of guardian or conservator.
Section 29A-5-418 - Filing letters of conservatorship--Proper county--Constructive notice.
Section 29A-5-423 - Court action to restrict interaction with family member.
Section 29A-5-424 - Good cause factors for restricting interaction.
Section 29A-5-425 - Types of restrictions--Supervised interaction.
Section 29A-5-502 - Appointment of additional guardians or conservators--Successors.
Section 29A-5-503 - Petition to resign as guardian or conservator.
Section 29A-5-504 - Petition to remove guardian or conservator--Reasons for removal.
Section 29A-5-507 - Termination of guardianship or conservatorship upon death of protected person.
Section 29A-5-509 - Hearing on petition to terminate, revoke, or modify--Jury--Duty of court.
Section 29A-5-510 - State as conservator of protected person--Distribution of assets upon death.