11.88.040 - Notice and hearing, when required -- Service -- Procedure.

Notice and hearing, when required — Service — Procedure.

Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ten days after service thereof, shall be served personally upon the alleged incapacitated person, if over fourteen years of age, and served upon the guardian ad litem.

     Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ten days after service thereof, shall be given by registered or certified mail to the last known address requesting a return receipt signed by the addressee or an agent appointed by the addressee, or by personal service in the manner provided for services of summons, to the following:

     (1) The alleged incapacitated person, or minor, if under fourteen years of age;

     (2) A parent, if the alleged incapacitated person is a minor, all known children not residing with a notified person, and the spouse or domestic partner of the alleged incapacitated person if any;

     (3) Any other person who has been appointed as guardian or limited guardian, or the person with whom the alleged incapacitated person resides. No notice need be given to those persons named in subsections (2) and (3) of this section if they have signed the petition for the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian or have waived notice of the hearing.

     (4) If the petition is by a parent asking for appointment as guardian or limited guardian of a minor child under the age of fourteen years, or if the petition is accompanied by the written consent of a minor of the age of fourteen years or upward, who consents to the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian asked for, or if the petition is by a nonresident guardian of any minor or incapacitated person, then the court may appoint the guardian without notice of the hearing. The court for good cause may reduce the number of days of notice, but in every case, at least three days notice shall be given.

     The alleged incapacitated person shall be present in court at the final hearing on the petition: PROVIDED, That this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the court for good cause other than mere inconvenience shown in the report to be provided by the guardian ad litem pursuant to RCW 11.88.090 as now or hereafter amended, or if no guardian ad litem is required to be appointed pursuant to RCW 11.88.090, as now or hereafter amended, at the discretion of the court for good cause shown by a party. Alternatively, the court may remove itself to the place of residence of the alleged incapacitated person and conduct the final hearing in the presence of the alleged incapacitated person. Final hearings on the petition may be held in closed court without admittance of any person other than those necessary to the action or proceeding.

     If presence of the alleged incapacitated person is waived and the court does not remove itself to the place of residence of such person, the guardian ad litem shall appear in person at the final hearing on the petition.

[2008 c 6 § 803; 1995 c 297 § 2; 1991 c 289 § 3; 1990 c 122 § 5; 1984 c 149 § 177; 1977 ex.s. c 309 § 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 95 § 5; 1969 c 70 § 1; 1965 c 145 §11.88.040 . Prior: 1927 c 170 § 2; 1923 c 142 § 4; 1917 c 156 § 198; RRS § 1568; prior: 1909 c 118 § 2; 1903 c 130 §§ 2, 3.]

Notes: Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.

Effective date -- 1990 c 122: See note following RCW 11.88.005.

Severability -- Effective dates -- 1984 c 149: See notes following RCW 11.02.005.

Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 309: See note following RCW 11.88.005.