§ 45-5-312 — General powers and duties of the limited guardian and

guardian. A. If the court enters judgment pursuant to Subsection C of Section 45-5-304 NMSA 1978, it shall appoint a limited guardian if it determines that the protected person is able to manage some but not all aspects of personal care. The court shall specify those powers that the limited guardian shall have and may further restrict each power so as to permit the protected person to care for the protected person's own self commensurate with the protected person's ability to do so. A person for whom a limited guardian has been appointed retains all legal and civil rights except those that have been specifically granted to the limited guardian by the court. The limited guardian shall exercise supervisory powers over the protected person in a manner that is the least restrictive form of intervention consistent with the order of the court. B. A guardian is not legally obligated to provide from the guardian's own funds for the protected person and is not liable to third persons for acts of the protected person solely by reason of the guardianship. In particular and without qualifying the foregoing, a guardian or the guardian's replacement has the following powers and duties, except as modified by order of the court: (1) to the extent that it is consistent with the terms of any order by a court of competent jurisdiction relating to detention or commitment of the protected person, a guardian is entitled to custody of the protected person and may establish the protected person's place of abode within or without New Mexico; (2) if entitled to custody of the protected person, a guardian shall make provision for the care, comfort and maintenance of the protected person and, whenever appropriate, arrange for training and education. The guardian shall take reasonable care of the protected person's clothing, furniture, vehicles and other personal effects and commence conservatorship proceedings if other property of the protected person is in need of protection; (3) if no agent is entitled to make health care decisions for the protected person under the provisions of the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act [Chapter 24, Article 7A NMSA 1978], then the guardian shall make health care decisions for the protected person in accordance with the provisions of that act. In exercising health care powers, a guardian may consent or withhold consent that may be necessary to enable the protected person to receive or refuse medical or other professional care, counsel, treatment or service. That decision shall be made in accordance with the values of the protected person, if known, or the best interests of the protected person if the values are not known; (4) if no conservator for the estate of the protected person has been appointed, if the court has determined that a conservatorship is not appropriate and if a guardian appointed by the court has been granted authority to make financial decisions on behalf of the protected person in the order of appointment and in the letters of guardianship pursuant to Subsection C of Section 45-5-308 NMSA 1978, the guardian has the following powers and duties, including the power: (a) to institute proceedings to compel any person under a duty to support the protected person or to pay sums for the welfare of the protected person to perform that duty; (b) to receive money and tangible property deliverable to the protected person and apply the money and property for support, care and education of the protected person, but the guardian shall not use funds from the protected person's estate for room and board that the guardian or the guardian's spouse, parent or child has furnished the protected person, unless a charge for the service is approved by order of the court made upon notice to at least one of the next of kin of the protected person, if notice is possible; (c) to serve as advocate and decision maker for the protected person in any disputes with persons or organizations, including financial institutions, regarding the protected person's finances; (d) to obtain information regarding the protected person's assets and income from persons or organizations handling the protected person's finances; (e) to file an initial inventory of all property belonging to the protected person within ninety days after appointment; and (f) to exercise care to conserve any excess for the protected person's needs and include in the guardian's ninety-day and annual reports a description of decisions made regarding the protected person's finances and property; and (5) the guardian shall exercise the guardian's supervisory powers over the protected person in a manner that is least restrictive of the protected person's personal freedom and consistent with the need for supervision. Professional guardians shall follow the following standards in the national guardianship association standards of practice: (a) informed consent; (b) standards for decision making; (c) least restrictive alternatives; (d) self-determination of the person; and (e) the guardian's duties regarding diversity and personal preferences of the person. C. A guardian of a protected person for whom a conservator also has been appointed shall control the care and custody of the protected person and is entitled to receive reasonable sums for services and for room and board furnished to the protected person. The guardian may request the conservator to expend the protected person's estate by payment to third persons or institutions for the protected person's care and maintenance. D. Unless authorized by the court by specific order, a guardian for an adult shall not revoke or amend a power of attorney for health care or power of attorney for finances signed by the adult. If a power of attorney for health care is in effect, unless there is a court order to the contrary, a health care decision of an agent takes precedence over that of the guardian, and the guardian shall cooperate with the agent to the extent feasible. If a power of attorney for finances is in effect, unless there is a court order to the contrary, a decision by the agent that the agent is authorized to make under the power of attorney for finances takes precedence over that of the guardian, and the guardian shall cooperate with the agent to the extent feasible. E. A guardian for an adult shall not initiate the commitment of the adult to a mental health treatment facility except in accordance with the state's procedure for involuntary civil commitment. F. A guardian for a protected person shall not restrict the ability of the protected person to communicate, visit or interact with others, including receiving visitors and making or receiving telephone calls, personal mail or electronic communications, including through social media or participating in social activities, unless: (1) authorized by the court by specific order; (2) a less restrictive alternative is in effect that limits contact between the protected person and a person; or (3) the guardian has good cause to believe restriction is necessary because interaction with a specified person poses a risk of significant physical, psychological or financial harm to the protected person and the restriction is: (a) for a period of not more than seven business days if the person has a family or preexisting social relationship with the protected person; or (b) for a period of not more than sixty days if the person does not have a family or preexisting social relationship with the protected person. G. A guardian for a protected person shall seek and support the least restrictive option, consistent with the court's guardianship order of appointment, including developing adequate supports and requesting guardianship termination if less restrictive alternatives to guardianship are appropriate.

Legislative History

1953 Comp., § 32A-5-312, enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 257, § 5-312; 1984, ch.