Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-207 – Proceedings in more than 1 state
Except for a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency or issuance of a protective order limited to property located in this State under § 39A-202(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this title, if a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in this State and in another state and neither petition has been dismissed or withdrawn, the following rules apply:
(1) If the Court has jurisdiction under § 39A-201 of this title, it may proceed with the case unless a court in another state acquires jurisdiction under provisions similar to § 39A-201 of this title before the appointment or issuance of the order.
(2) If the Court does not have jurisdiction under § 39A-201 of this title, whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time before the appointment or issuance of the order, the Court shall stay the proceeding and communicate with the court in the other state. If the court in the other state has jurisdiction, the court in this State shall dismiss the petition unless the court in the other state determines that the court in this State is a more appropriate forum.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-207
- Court: means the Court of Chancery. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-101
- Emergency: means the respondent is in danger of incurring imminent serious physical harm or substantial economic loss or expense. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-101
- 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: is a "guardian of the person" as that term is used in this title. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-101
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Protective order: means an order appointing a "guardian of the property" as that term is used in this title. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-101
- State: means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-101