Arizona Laws 14-5207. Formal appointment of guardian of minor; procedure
A. Any person interested in the welfare of a minor may petition the court for appointment of a guardian. The court shall then set a hearing date. The petitioner shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing in the manner prescribed by section 14-1401 to:
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 14-5207
- Court: means the superior court. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Guardian: means a person who has qualified as a guardian of a minor or incapacitated person pursuant to testamentary or court appointment but excludes a person who is merely a guardian ad litem. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Letters: includes letters testamentary, letters of guardianship, letters of administration and letters of conservatorship. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Minor: means a person who is under eighteen years of age. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Parent: includes any person entitled to take, or who would be entitled to take if the child died without a will, as a parent under this title by intestate succession from the child whose relationship is in question and excludes any person who is only a stepparent, foster parent or grandparent. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Person: means an individual or an organization. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Petition: means a written request to the court for an order after notice. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Proceeding: includes action at law and suit in equity. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
- Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
1. A minor who is at least fourteen years of age.
2. The person who has had the principal care and custody of the minor during the sixty days preceding the date of the petition.
3. Any living parent of the minor.
B. Upon hearing, if the court finds that a qualified person seeks appointment, venue is proper, the required notices have been given, the requirements of section 14-5204 have been met and the welfare and best interests of the minor will be served by the requested appointment, it shall make the appointment and issue letters on the acceptance of the proposed guardian. In other cases the court may dismiss the proceedings or make any other disposition of the matter that will best serve the interests of the minor.
C. If necessary, the court may appoint a temporary guardian, with the status of an ordinary guardian of a minor, but the authority of a temporary guardian shall not last longer than six months.
D. If, at any time in the proceeding, the court determines that the interests of the minor are or may be inadequately represented, it may appoint an attorney to represent the minor, giving consideration to the preference of the minor if the minor is at least fourteen years of age.