§ 44A-2-6 — Notice of hearing

(a) Upon the filing of the petition and evaluation report, the court shall promptly issue a notice fixing the date, hour and location for a hearing to take place within sixty days.

(b) The alleged protected person shall be personally served with the notice, a copy of the petition and the evaluation report not less than fourteen days before the hearing. The person may not waive notice and a failure to properly notify the person shall be jurisdictional.

(c) A copy of the notice, together with a copy of the petition, shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the petitioner, at least fourteen days before the hearing to all individuals seven years of age or older and to all entities whose names and post office addresses appear in the petition. In the case of a missing person, a copy of the petition for the appointment of a conservator shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the petitioner, at least fourteen days before the hearing to the last known address of the missing person. A copy of certified mail return receipts shall be filed in the office of the circuit clerk on or before the date of hearing. It is the responsibility of the petitioner to obtain proper service and file the appropriate documentation with the circuit clerk before the hearing.

(d) The notice shall include a brief statement in large print of the purpose of the proceedings and shall inform the alleged protected person of the right to appear at the hearing, the right to an attorney and the right to object to the proposed appointment. Additionally, the notice shall include the following statement in large print:

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF A COURT FINDING

THAT YOU ARE INCAPACITATED

At the hearing you may lose many of your rights. A guardian may be appointed to make personal decisions for you. A conservator may be appointed to make decisions concerning your property and finances. The appointment may affect control of how you spend your money, how your property is managed and controlled, who makes your medical decisions, where you live, whether you are allowed to vote and other important rights.

(e) No person may be appointed a guardian or conservator without first receiving proper notice and having the opportunity to be present at a hearing.

Legislative History

2009 Reg. Sess., HB3170; 2009 Reg. Sess., SB671; 1998 Reg. Sess., HB4118; 1997 Reg. Sess., SB100; 1994 Reg. Sess., HB4508