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525.54 Adults subject to guardianship and conservatorship.

Subdivision 1. Adults subject to guardianship and conservatorship. Upon petition as provided in this chapter, the court, if satisfied of the need therefor, may appoint one or more persons suitable and competent to discharge the trust as guardians of the person or estate or of both or as conservators of the person or the estate or of both, of any incapacitated person. The county human services agency may create a screening committee to review a petition involving an indigent person. The screening committee must be made up of individuals selected by the agency with knowledge of the availability of alternatives that are less restrictive than guardianships or conservatorships. If the agency has created a screening committee, the court shall make its decision after the screening committee has reviewed the petition. For indigent persons, the court may appoint a guardian or conservator under contract with the county to provide these services.

Subd. 2. Guardianship or conservatorship of the person. "Incapacitated person" means, in the case of guardianship or conservatorship of the person, any adult person who is impaired to the extent of lacking sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible personal decisions, and who has demonstrated deficits in behavior which evidence an inability to meet personal needs for medical care, nutrition, clothing, shelter, or safety.

Subd. 3. Guardianship or conservatorship of the estate. Appointment of a guardian or conservator may be made in relation to the estate and financial affairs of an adult person: (a) voluntarily, upon the person's petition or consent in writing if the court is satisfied of the need thereof; (b) involuntarily, upon the court's determination that (1) the person is unable to manage the person's property and affairs effectively because the person is an incapacitated person, and (2) the person has property which will be dissipated unless proper management is provided, or that funds are needed for the support, care and welfare of the person or those entitled to be supported by the person, and (3) a guardian or conservator is necessary to adequately protect the person's estate or financial affairs; or (c) involuntarily, upon the court's determination that an indigent incapacitated person is institutionalized and has a demonstrated need for guardianship or conservatorship services beyond financial services available through the institution as required by chapter 144A and sections 256B.35 and 256B.36, or through the county human services agency, to the extent the agency provides these services. The need for a guardian or conservator may not be based solely on the fact that the ward or conservatee is a recipient of medical assistance or is institutionalized. "Incapacitated person" means, in the case of guardianship or conservatorship of the estate of an adult, any adult person who is impaired to the extent that the person lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning the person's estate or financial affairs, and who has demonstrated deficits in behavior which evidence an inability to manage the estate, or who is unable to manage the estate or financial affairs effectively by reason of detention by a foreign power or disappearance.

Subd. 4. Voting. The appointment of a conservator shall not deprive the conservatee of the right to vote, unless the right is restricted by court order.

Subd. 5. Competency. Appointment of a guardian is evidence of the incompetency of the incapacitated person. Appointment of a conservator is not evidence of incompetency.

Subd. 6. Authority to appoint guardian. Nothing contained in this section shall diminish the power of the court to appoint a guardian to serve or protect the interest of any person under disability in any proceedings therein.

Subd. 7. Certain protective arrangements. If it is established in a proper proceeding under section 525.551 that a basis exists for the appointment of a guardian or conservator, the court, instead of appointing a guardian or conservator, may (a) authorize, direct or ratify any transaction necessary or desirable to achieve any security, service, or care arrangement meeting the foreseeable needs of the protected person. Protective arrangements include, but are not limited to: payment, delivery, deposit or retention of funds or property; sale, mortgage, lease or other transfer of property; entry into an annuity contract, a contract for life care, a deposit contract or a contract for training and education; or addition to or establishment of a suitable trust; or (b) authorize, direct or ratify any contract, trust or other transaction relating to the protected person's financial affairs or involving the protected person's estate if the court determines that the transaction is in the best interests of the protected person.

Before approving a protective arrangement or other transaction under this subdivision, the court shall consider the interests of creditors and dependents of the protected person and, in view of the disability, whether the protected person needs the continuing protection of a guardian or conservator. The court may appoint a special conservator with or without bond to assist in the accomplishment of any protective arrangement or other transaction authorized under this subdivision, who shall have the authority conferred by the order and serve until discharged by order after making a report to the court of all matters done pursuant to the order of appointment.

HIST: (8992-129) 1935 c 72 s 129; 1971 c 588 s 1; 1973 c 618 s 1; 1980 c 493 s 2; 1981 c 313 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 456 s 1; 1993 c 118 s 1,2

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Revisor of Statutes