Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 54 - Guardianships and conservatorships.
54.42 - Rights of proposed ward or ward.

54.42 Rights of proposed ward or ward.
(1) Right to counsel.
(a) The proposed ward or ward has the right to counsel, if any of the following occurs:
1. The proposed ward or ward requests counsel.
2. The guardian ad litem or another person states to the court that the proposed ward or ward is opposed to the guardianship petition.
3. The court determines that the interests of justice require counsel for the proposed ward or ward.
(b) Any attorney obtained under par. (a) or appointed under par. (c) shall be an advocate for the expressed wishes of the proposed ward or ward.
(c) If par. (a) 1., 2., or 3. applies but the proposed ward or ward is unable to obtain legal counsel, the court shall appoint legal counsel. If the proposed ward or ward is represented by counsel appointed under s. 977.08 in a proceeding under a petition for protective placement brought under s. 55.075, the court shall order the counsel appointed under s. 977.08 to represent the proposed ward or ward.
(2) Right to jury trial. The proposed ward or ward has the right to a trial by a jury if demanded by the proposed ward or ward, his or her attorney, or the guardian ad litem, except that the right is waived unless demanded at least 48 hours before the time set for the hearing. The number of jurors for such a trial is determined under s. 756.06 (2) (b). The proposed ward or ward, his or her attorney, or the guardian ad litem each has the right to present and cross-examine witnesses, including any physician or licensed psychologist who reports to the court concerning the proposed ward.
(3) Right to independent examination. If requested by the proposed ward, ward, or anyone on the proposed ward's or ward's behalf, the proposed ward or ward has the right at his or her own expense, or if indigent at the expense of the county where the petition is heard on the merits, to secure an independent medical or psychological examination relevant to the issue involved in any hearing under this chapter, and to present a report of this independent evaluation or the evaluator's personal testimony as evidence at the hearing.
(4) Right to payment of expenses in contesting proceedings. If a guardian is appointed, the court shall, if the court determines it reasonable, allow payment from the ward's income or assets of expenses incurred by the ward in contesting the appointment. These expenses are payable before other attorney or guardian ad litem fees.
(5) Right to be present at hearing. The proposed ward or ward has the right to be present at any hearing regarding the guardianship.
(6) Right to hearing in accessible location. The proposed ward or ward has the right to have any hearing regarding the guardianship conducted in a location and manner that is accessible to the proposed ward or ward.
History: 2005 a. 264 s. 204; 2005 a. 387 ss. 100, 420, 460, 461, 463; 2007 a. 45.
The right to counsel guaranteed under sub. (1) (b) includes the ward's right to have counsel present during an interview with the guardian ad litem for the purpose of making a report to the court. Jennifer M. v. Mauer, 2010 WI App 8, 323 Wis. 2d 126, 779 N.W.2d 436, 08-1985.

Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations

Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations

Chapter 54 - Guardianships and conservatorships.

54.01 - Definitions.

54.10 - Appointment of guardian.

54.12 - Exceptions to appointment of guardian.

54.15 - Selection of guardian; nominations; preferences; other criteria.

54.18 - General duties and powers of guardian; limitations; immunity.

54.19 - Duties of guardian of the estate.

54.20 - Powers of guardian of the estate.

54.21 - Petition to transfer ward's assets to another.

54.22 - Petition for authority to sell, mortgage, pledge, lease, or exchange ward's property.

54.25 - Duties and powers of guardian of the person.

54.26 - Guardian training requirements.

54.30 - Jurisdiction and venue.

54.34 - Petition for guardianship or for receipt and acceptance of a foreign guardianship.

54.36 - Examination of proposed ward.

54.38 - Notice.

54.40 - Guardian ad litem; appointment; duties; termination.

54.42 - Rights of proposed ward or ward.

54.44 - Hearing.

54.46 - Disposition of petition.

54.47 - Lis pendens, void contracts.

54.48 - Protective placement and protective services.

54.50 - Temporary guardianships.

54.52 - Standby guardianship.

54.54 - Successor guardian.

54.60 - Inventory.

54.62 - Accounts.

54.625 - Transfer of guardianship funds of a Menominee.

54.63 - Expansion of order of guardianship; procedure.

54.64 - Review of incompetency and termination of guardianship.

54.66 - Final accounts.

54.68 - Review of conduct of guardian.

54.72 - Guardian compensation and reimbursement.

54.74 - Compensation of guardian ad litem.

54.75 - Access to court records.

54.76 - Conservator; appointment; duties and powers; termination.

54.850 - Definitions.

54.852 - United States uniform veterans guardianship act.

54.854 - Uniform transfers to minors act; definitions.

54.856 - Scope and jurisdiction.

54.858 - Nomination of custodian.

54.860 - Transfer by gift or exercise of power of appointment.

54.862 - Transfer authorized by will or trust.

54.864 - Other transfer by fiduciary.

54.866 - Transfer by obligor.

54.868 - Receipt for custodial property.

54.870 - Manner of creating custodial property and effecting transfer; designation of initial custodian; control.

54.872 - Single custodianship.

54.874 - Validity and effect of transfer.

54.876 - Care of custodial property.

54.878 - Powers of custodian.

54.880 - Use of custodial property.

54.882 - Custodian's expenses, compensation and bond.

54.884 - Exemption of 3rd person from liability.

54.886 - Liability to 3rd persons.

54.888 - Renunciation, resignation, death or removal of custodian; designation of successor custodian.

54.890 - Accounting by and determination of liability of custodian.

54.892 - Termination of custodianship.

54.894 - Applicability.

54.896 - Effect on existing custodianships.

54.898 - Uniformity of application and construction.

54.92 - Uniform securities ownership by minors act.

54.93 - Securities ownership by incompetents and spendthrifts.

54.950 - Definitions.

54.952 - Custodial trust; general.

54.954 - Custodial trustee for future payment or transfer.

54.956 - Form and effect of receipt and acceptance by custodial trustee, jurisdiction.

54.958 - Transfer to custodial trustee by fiduciary or obligor; facility of payment.

54.960 - Multiple beneficiaries; separate custodial trusts; survivorship.

54.962 - General duties of custodial trustee.

54.964 - General powers of custodial trustee.

54.966 - Use of custodial trust property.

54.968 - Determination of incapacity; effect.

54.970 - Exemption of 3rd person from liability.

54.972 - Liability to 3rd person.

54.974 - Declination, resignation, incapacity, death or removal of custodial trustee, designation of successor custodial trustee.

54.976 - Expenses, compensation and bond of custodial trustee.

54.978 - Reporting and accounting by custodial trustee; determination of liability of custodial trustee.

54.980 - Limitations of action against custodial trustee.

54.982 - Distribution on termination.

54.984 - Methods and forms for creating custodial trusts.

54.986 - Applicable law.

54.988 - Uniformity of application and construction.