§ 29-2-66 - Notice to minor and foreign court; requirements of notice; notice to others; waiver of notice requirements
O.C.G.A. 29-2-66 (2010)
29-2-66. Notice to minor and foreign court; requirements of notice; notice to others; waiver of notice requirements
(a) Notice and a copy of the petition for receipt and acceptance of a foreign guardianship shall be served personally on the minor. The notice shall:
(1) State that the minor has a right to a hearing on the petition;
(2) Inform the minor of the procedure to exercise the minor's right to a hearing; and
(3) State that the minor has the right to independent legal counsel and that the court shall appoint legal counsel for the minor unless the minor has retained counsel or legal counsel has been appointed by the foreign court to represent the minor in the transfer of the guardianship.
(b) Notice and a copy of the petition for receipt and acceptance of a foreign guardianship shall be provided to the foreign court from which the guardianship is to be transferred. Notice to the foreign court shall include a request that the foreign court:
(1) Certify whether:
(A) The foreign court has any record that the guardian has engaged in malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance during the guardian's appointment;
(B) Periodic status reports have been filed in a satisfactory manner; and
(C) All bond or other security requirements imposed under the guardianship have been performed; and
(2) Forward copies of all documents filed with the foreign court relating to the guardianship including but not limited to:
(A) The initial petition for guardianship and other filings relevant to the appointment of the guardian;
(B) Reports and recommendations of guardians ad litem, court visitors, or other individuals appointed by the foreign court to evaluate the appropriateness of the guardianship;
(C) Reports of physical and mental health practitioners describing the condition of the minor;
(D) Periodic status reports on the condition of the minor; and
(E) The order to transfer the guardianship.
(c) Notice and a copy of the petition for receipt and acceptance of the guardianship shall be mailed to all other persons named in the petition by first-class mail. The notice shall inform these persons of their right to object to the receipt and acceptance of the guardianship by this state.
(d) The minor shall have 30 days from the date of service to request a hearing on the petition. All other persons to whom notice is given under this Code section shall have 30 days from the date of the mailing of the notice to request a hearing on the petition.
(e) The court may waive the notice requirements of subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section if it finds that:
(1) The guardian has filed a petition in the foreign court for transfer and release of the guardianship to this state;
(2) Notice was given to the minor and all interested persons in conjunction with the petition for transfer and release of the guardianship;
(3) The petitioner provides the court with an authenticated copy of the petition for transfer and release of the guardianship filed with the foreign court and proof that service was made on the minor not more than 90 days from the date the petition for receipt and acceptance of the guardianship is filed in the court; and
(4) The minor is represented by legal counsel with respect to the petition in the foreign court.