§5-204. Court appointment of guardian of minor; conditions for appointment






The court may appoint a guardian or coguardians for an unmarried minor if: [1995, c. 623, §1 (RPR).]








(a). 
 
All parental rights of custody have been terminated or suspended by circumstance
or prior court order;


[
1995, c. 623, §1 (NEW)
.]








(b). 
 
Each living parent whose parental rights and responsibilities have not been terminated
or the person who is the legal custodian of the unmarried minor consents to the guardianship
and the court finds that the consent creates a condition that is in the best interest
of the child;


[
2005, c. 371, §2 (AMD)
.]








(c). 
 
The person or persons whose consent is required under subsection (b) do not consent,
but the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person or persons have
failed to respond to proper notice or a living situation has been created that is
at least temporarily intolerable for the child even though the living situation does
not rise to the level of jeopardy required for the final termination of parental rights,
and that the proposed guardian will provide a living situation that is in the best
interest of the child; or


[
2005, c. 371, §2 (AMD)
.]








(d). 
 
The person or persons whose consent is required under subsection (b) do not consent,
but the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a de facto guardian
and a demonstrated lack of consistent participation by the nonconsenting parent or
legal custodian of the unmarried minor. The court may appoint the de facto guardian
as guardian if the appointment is in the best interest of the child.


[
2005, c. 371, §2 (NEW)
.]






A guardian appointed by will as provided in section 5-202 whose appointment has not
been prevented or nullified under section 5-203 has priority over any guardian who
may be appointed by the court but the court may proceed with an appointment upon a
finding that the testamentary guardian has failed to accept the testamentary appointment
within 30 days after notice of the guardianship proceeding. [1995, c. 623, §1 (NEW).]






If a proceeding is brought under subsection (c) or subsection (d), the nonconsenting
parent or legal custodian is entitled to court-appointed legal counsel if indigent.
In a contested action, the court may also appoint counsel for any indigent de facto
guardian, guardian or petitioner when a parent or legal custodian has counsel. [2005, c. 371, §2 (AMD).]






If a proceeding is brought under subsection (b), subsection (c) or subsection (d),
the court may order a parent to pay child support in accordance with Title 19-A, Part
3. When the Department of Health and Human Services provides child support enforcement
services, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services may designate employees of
the department who are not attorneys to represent the department in court if a hearing
is held. The commissioner shall ensure that appropriate training is provided to all
employees who are designated to represent the department under this paragraph. [2005, c. 371, §2 (AMD).]






If the court appoints a limited guardian, the court shall specify the duties and powers
of the guardian, as required in section 5-105, and the parental rights and responsibilities
retained by the parent of the minor. [1995, c. 623, §1 (NEW).]





SECTION HISTORY

1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW).
1995, c. 623, §1 (RPR).
1999, c. 46, §1 (AMD).
2001, c. 554, §2 (AMD).
2003, c. 689, §§B6,7 (REV).
2005, c. 371, §2 (AMD).