Assembly Bill No. 517–Assemblymen Freeman, Gibbons,
Arberry, Giunchigliani, Williams and Parks

March 12, 1999

____________

Referred to Committee on Judiciary

 

SUMMARY—Revises provisions concerning guardianship of adults. (BDR 13-1359)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Yes.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.

~

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to adult persons; revising provisions concerning their guardianship; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 159 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2 the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.

1-3 Sec. 2. If an adult ward or proposed adult ward is unable to retain

1-4 legal counsel and requests the appointment of counsel, at any stage of a

1-5 proceeding for guardianship and whether or not he lacks or appears to

1-6 lack capacity, the court shall, at or before the time of the next hearing,

1-7 appoint an attorney who works for legal aid services, if available, or a

1-8 private attorney to represent him. The attorney’s fees must be paid from

1-9 the estate of the ward or proposed ward to the extent possible.

1-10 Sec. 3. 1. The guardian may retain assets for the anticipated

1-11 expense of the ward’s funeral and the disposal of his remains. Of the

1-12 amount so retained, $1,500 is exempt from all claims, including those of

1-13 this state.

1-14 2. The guardian may place assets so retained in a pooled account or

1-15 trust. If the assets are invested in a savings account or other financial

1-16 account, they are not subject to disposition as unclaimed property during

1-17 the lifetime of the ward.

2-1 3. Assets so retained may be disbursed for the ward’s funeral or the

2-2 disposal of his remains without prior authorization of the court. An

2-3 amount not so disbursed becomes part of the ward’s estate.

2-4 Sec. 4. NRS 159.019 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-5 159.019 "Incompetent" [includes any] means an adult person who, by

2-6 reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, [advanced age,] disease,

2-7 weakness of mind or any other cause, is unable, without assistance,

2-8 properly to manage and take care of himself or his property.

2-9 Sec. 5. NRS 159.022 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-10 159.022 A person is of "limited capacity" if he is able to make

2-11 independently some but not all of the decisions necessary for his own care

2-12 and the management of his property [.] and has attained the age of

2-13 majority.

2-14 Sec. 6. NRS 159.044 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-15 159.044 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 127.045, a

2-16 proposed ward, a governmental agency, a nonprofit corporation or any

2-17 concerned person may petition the court for the appointment of a guardian.

2-18 2. The petition must state:

2-19 (a) The name and address of the petitioner.

2-20 (b) The name, age and address of the proposed ward. If he is a minor,

2-21 the date on which he will attain the age of majority and whether he will

2-22 need guardianship after attaining the age of majority.

2-23 (c) Whether the proposed ward is a resident or nonresident of this state.

2-24 (d) The names and addresses, so far as they are known to the petitioner,

2-25 of the relatives of the proposed ward within the second degree.

2-26 (e) The name and address of the proposed guardian.

2-27 (f) That the proposed guardian has never been convicted of a felony.

2-28 (g) A summary of the reasons why a guardian is needed.

2-29 (h) Whether the appointment of a general or a special guardian is

2-30 sought.

2-31 (i) A general description and the probable value of the property of the

2-32 proposed ward and any income to which he is entitled, if the petition is for

2-33 the appointment of a guardian of the estate or a special guardian. If any

2-34 money is paid or is payable to the proposed ward by the United States

2-35 through the Department of Veterans Affairs, the petition must so state.

2-36 (j) The name and address of any person or institution having the care,

2-37 custody or control of the proposed ward.

2-38 (k) The relationship, if any, of the petitioner to the proposed ward and

2-39 the interest, if any, of the petitioner in the appointment.

2-40 (l) Requests for any of the specific powers set forth in NRS 159.117 to

2-41 159.175, inclusive, necessary to enable the guardian to carry out the duties

2-42 of the guardianship.

3-1 (m) Whether the guardianship is sought as the result of an investigation

3-2 of a report of abuse or neglect that is conducted pursuant to chapter 432B

3-3 of NRS by an agency which provides protective services. As used in this

3-4 paragraph, "agency which provides protective services" has the meaning

3-5 ascribed to it in NRS 432B.030.

3-6 Sec. 7. NRS 159.047 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-7 159.047 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 159.0475, 159.049

3-8 and 159.052, the court, upon the filing of a petition under NRS 159.044,

3-9 shall direct the clerk to issue a citation setting forth a time and place for the

3-10 hearing and directing the persons or institutions referred to in subsection 2

3-11 to appear and show cause why a guardian should not be appointed for the

3-12 proposed ward.

3-13 2. A citation issued under subsection 1 must be served:

3-14 (a) If the proposed ward is an incompetent [:] or a person of limited

3-15 capacity:

3-16 (1) Upon the spouse and adult children of the incompetent or person

3-17 of limited capacity who are known to exist, or, if there are none, upon any

3-18 parent, brother or sister of the incompetent or person of limited capacity;

3-19 (2) Upon any person or officer of an institution having the care,

3-20 custody or control of the incompetent or person of limited capacity; and

3-21 (3) Upon the incompetent or person of limited capacity.

3-22 (b) If the proposed ward is a minor:

3-23 (1) Upon the parents of the minor;

3-24 (2) Upon any person or officer of an institution having care, custody

3-25 or control of the minor; and

3-26 (3) If the minor is 14 years of age or older, upon the minor.

3-27 Sec. 8. NRS 159.052 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-28 159.052 1. A petitioner may request the court to appoint a temporary

3-29 guardian. To support the request, the petitioner must set forth in a petition

3-30 and present to the court under oath:

3-31 (a) Facts which show that the proposed ward:

3-32 (1) Faces a substantial and immediate risk of financial loss or physical

3-33 harm or needs immediate medical attention; and

3-34 (2) Lacks capacity to respond to the risk of loss or harm or to obtain

3-35 the necessary medical attention; and

3-36 (b) Facts which show that:

3-37 (1) The petitioner has tried in good faith to notify the persons entitled

3-38 to notice pursuant to NRS 159.047; [or]

3-39 (2) The proposed ward would be exposed to an immediate risk of

3-40 financial loss or physical harm if the petitioner were to provide notice to

3-41 the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159.047 before the court

3-42 determines whether to appoint a temporary guardian [.] ; or

4-1 (3) Giving notice to the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS

4-2 159.047 is not feasible under the circumstances.

4-3 2. If the court:

4-4 (a) Finds reasonable cause to believe that the proposed ward is unable to

4-5 respond to a substantial and immediate risk of financial loss or physical

4-6 harm or to a need for immediate medical attention; and

4-7 (b) Is satisfied that the petitioner has tried in good faith to notify the

4-8 persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159.047 or that giving notice to

4-9 those persons is not feasible under the circumstances, or determines that

4-10 such notice is not required pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of

4-11 subsection 1,

4-12 the court may appoint a temporary guardian to serve for 10 days. The court

4-13 shall limit the temporary guardian’s powers to those necessary to assist in

4-14 the emergency.

4-15 3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, after the appointment

4-16 of a temporary guardian, the petitioner shall [make a good faith effort]

4-17 attempt in good faith to notify the persons entitled to notice pursuant to

4-18 NRS 159.047. If the petitioner fails to make such an effort, the court may

4-19 terminate the temporary guardianship.

4-20 4. If, before the appointment of a temporary guardian, the court

4-21 determined that advance notice was not required pursuant to subparagraph

4-22 (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1, the petitioner shall notify the persons

4-23 entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159.047 without undue delay, but not

4-24 later than [24] 48 hours after the appointment of the temporary guardian [.]

4-25 or not later than 48 hours after he discovers the existence, identity and

4-26 location of the persons entitled to notice pursuant to that section. If the

4-27 petitioner fails to provide such notice, the court may terminate the

4-28 temporary guardianship.

4-29 5. Within 10 days after the appointment of a temporary guardian

4-30 pursuant to subsection 2, the court shall hold a hearing to determine the

4-31 need to extend the temporary guardianship. Except as otherwise provided

4-32 in subsection 6, if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the

4-33 proposed ward is unable to respond to a substantial and immediate risk of

4-34 financial loss or physical harm or to a need for immediate medical

4-35 attention, the court may extend the temporary guardianship until a general

4-36 or special guardian is appointed, but not for more than 30 days. The court

4-37 shall limit the temporary guardian’s powers to those necessary to assist in

4-38 the emergency.

4-39 6. The court may not extend a temporary guardianship pursuant to

4-40 subsection 5 beyond the initial period of 10 days unless the petitioner

4-41 demonstrates that:

4-42 (a) The provisions of NRS 159.0475 have been satisfied; or

5-1 (b) Notice by publication pursuant to N.R.C.P. 4(e) is currently being

5-2 undertaken.

5-3 Sec. 9. NRS 159.059 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-4 159.059 Any qualified person or entity that the court finds suitable may

5-5 serve as a guardian. A person is not qualified to serve as a guardian who

5-6 [is:

5-7 1. An] :

5-8 1. Is an incompetent.

5-9 2. [A] Is a minor.

5-10 3. [A person who has] Has been convicted of a felony.

5-11 4. [A person] Has been suspended for misconduct or disbarred from

5-12 the practice of law during the period of the suspension or disbarment.

5-13 5. [A] Is a nonresident of this state [who] and has not:

5-14 (a) Associated as a coguardian, a resident of this state or a banking

5-15 corporation whose principal place of business is in this state; and

5-16 (b) Caused the appointment to be filed in the guardianship proceeding.

5-17 6. Has been judicially determined to have committed abuse, neglect

5-18 or exploitation of a child, spouse, parent or other adult.

5-19 Sec. 10. NRS 159.073 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-20 159.073 Every guardian shall, before entering upon his duties as

5-21 guardian and before letters of guardianship may issue, take and subscribe

5-22 the official oath and file in the [guardianship] proceeding his name,

5-23 residence and post office address. [Such] The oath, to be endorsed on the

5-24 letters of guardianship, [shall state that:

5-25 1. The guardian] must state that he will well and faithfully perform the

5-26 duties of guardian according to law . [;

5-27 2. All matters stated in any petition or paper filed with the court are

5-28 true of his own knowledge, except as to matters stated on information and

5-29 belief; and

5-30 3. As to matters stated on information and belief, he believes them to

5-31 be true.]

5-32 Sec. 11. NRS 159.079 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-33 159.079 1. Except as otherwise ordered by the court, a guardian of

5-34 the person has the care, custody and control of the person of the ward, and

5-35 has the authority and, subject to subsection 2, shall perform the duties

5-36 necessary for the proper care, maintenance, education and support of the

5-37 ward, including [but not limited to] the following:

5-38 (a) Supplying the ward with food, clothing, shelter and all incidental

5-39 necessaries.

5-40 (b) Authorizing medical, surgical, dental, psychiatric, psychological,

5-41 hygienic or other remedial care and treatment for the ward.

5-42 (c) Seeing that the ward is properly trained and educated and that he has

5-43 the opportunity to learn a trade, occupation or profession.

6-1 2. In the performance of the duties enumerated in subsection 1 by a

6-2 guardian of the person, due regard [shall] must be given to the extent of the

6-3 estate of the ward. A guardian of the person is not required to incur

6-4 expenses on behalf of the ward except to the extent that the estate of the

6-5 ward is sufficient to reimburse the guardian. [Nothing contained in this

6-6 section shall be deemed to] This section does not relieve a parent or other

6-7 person of any duty required by law to provide for the care, support and

6-8 maintenance of any dependent.

6-9 Sec. 12. NRS 159.0805 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-10 159.0805 A guardian shall not consent to experimental medical ,

6-11 biomedical or behavioral treatment , or sterilization of a ward , or to the

6-12 ward’s participation in any biomedical or behavioral experiment, unless

6-13 he is specifically empowered to do so by the court. The court may

6-14 authorize experimental treatment or participation only if:

6-15 1. It is of direct benefit to, and intended to preserve the life or prevent

6-16 serious impairment to the mental or physical health of, the ward; or

6-17 2. It is intended to assist the ward to develop or regain his abilities.

6-18 Sec. 13. NRS 159.085 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-19 159.085 1. Within 60 days after the date of his appointment, or, if

6-20 necessary, such further time as the court may allow, a guardian of the estate

6-21 shall make and file in the guardianship proceeding a verified inventory of

6-22 all the property of the ward which comes to his possession or knowledge.

6-23 2. Whenever any property of the ward not mentioned in the inventory

6-24 comes to the possession or knowledge of a guardian of the estate, he shall

6-25 make and file in the [guardianship] proceeding a verified supplemental

6-26 inventory within 30 days after the property comes to his possession or

6-27 knowledge or include the property in his next accounting. The court may

6-28 order which of the two methods the guardian shall follow.

6-29 3. The court may order all or any part of the property of the ward

6-30 appraised as provided in NRS 144.020, 144.025, 144.030, 144.070 and

6-31 144.090.

6-32 Sec. 14. NRS 159.189 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-33 159.189 [Where,] If, at the time of the appointment of the guardian or

6-34 thereafter, the estate of a ward consists of personal property having a value

6-35 not exceeding by more than [$1,000] $5,000 the aggregate amount of

6-36 unpaid expenses of administration of the guardianship estate and claims

6-37 against the estate, the guardian of the estate, with prior approval of the

6-38 court by order, may pay [such] those expenses and claims from the estate

6-39 and deliver all the remaining personal property to such person as the court

6-40 may designate in the order, to be held, invested or used as ordered by the

6-41 court. The recipient of the property so delivered shall give a receipt

6-42 therefor to the guardian. The receipt is a release and acquittance to the

6-43 guardian as to the property so delivered. The guardian shall file in the

7-1 [guardianship] proceeding proper receipts or other evidence satisfactory to

7-2 the court showing [such] the delivery, and the guardian [shall be] is

7-3 released from his trust and his bond exonerated.

7-4 Sec. 15. NRS 159.1905 is hereby amended to read as follows:

7-5 159.1905 A ward [or other] , the guardian or another person may

7-6 petition the court for the termination or modification of a guardianship.

7-7 [Upon the filing of the petition, the court may appoint an attorney to

7-8 represent the ward if he is unable to retain one and the court determines that

7-9 the appointment is necessary to protect his interests.] The petition must

7-10 state or contain:

7-11 1. The name and address of the petitioner.

7-12 2. The name, age and address of the ward, if the ward is not the

7-13 petitioner, or the date of death of the ward if the ward is deceased.

7-14 3. The name and address of the guardian, if the guardian is not the

7-15 petitioner.

7-16 4. The reason for termination or modification.

7-17 5. A general description and the value of the remaining property of

7-18 the ward and the proposed disposition of that property.

7-19 Sec. 16. NRS 159.191 is hereby amended to read as follows:

7-20 159.191 A guardianship is terminated:

7-21 1. If for a minor, when [the minor] he reaches the age of majority

7-22 according to the law of [such minor’s] his domicile;

7-23 2. By the death of the ward; [or]

7-24 3. Upon the ward’s change of domicile to a place outside this state

7-25 and the transfer of jurisdiction to the court having jurisdiction in the new

7-26 domicile; or

7-27 4. Upon order of the court, if the court determines that the guardianship

7-28 no longer is necessary. If the guardianship is of the person and estate, the

7-29 court may order the guardianship terminated as to the person, the estate or

7-30 the person and estate.

7-31 Sec. 17. NRS 159.201 is hereby amended to read as follows:

7-32 159.201 If at any time during the course of the [guardianship]

7-33 proceedings it appears to the court that, after payment of all claims and

7-34 expenses of the guardianship the value of the ward’s property does not

7-35 exceed [$3,000,] $5,000, the court may:

7-36 1. Authorize the guardian of the estate or special guardian who is

7-37 authorized to manage the ward’s property to convert the property to cash

7-38 [or marketable stocks and bonds] and sell any of the property, with or

7-39 without notice, as the court may direct. After the payment of all claims and

7-40 the expenses of the guardianship, the guardian shall deposit [such cash] the

7-41 money in savings accounts or invest it as provided in NRS 159.117, and

7-42 hold the investment and all interest, issues, dividends and profits for the

7-43 benefit of the ward. The court may dispense with annual accountings and

8-1 all other proceedings required by this chapter . [if the investment fund is

8-2 held intact to be distributed to the ward upon removal of his legal

8-3 disability.]

8-4 2. If the ward is a minor, terminate the guardianship of the estate and

8-5 direct the guardian to deliver the ward’s property to the [father or mother]

8-6 parent, guardian or custodian of the minor to hold, invest or use as the

8-7 court may order.

~