(1) The venue in proceedings for declaration of incapacity shall be where the alleged incapacitated person resides or is found. The provisions of this section do not apply to veterans.
(2) The venue in proceedings for the appointment of a guardian shall be:

(a) If the incapacitated person is a resident of this state, in the county where the incapacitated person resides.

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 744.1097

  • Court: means the circuit court. See Florida Statutes 744.102
  • 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 been appointed by the court to act on behalf of a ward's person or property, or both. See Florida Statutes 744.102
  • Incapacitated person: means a person who has been judicially determined to lack the capacity to manage at least some of the property or to meet at least some of the essential health and safety requirements of the person. See Florida Statutes 744.102
  • 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.
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • Property: means both real and personal property or any interest in it and anything that may be the subject of ownership. See Florida Statutes 744.102
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
(b) If the incapacitated person is not a resident of this state, in any county in this state where property of the incapacitated person is located.
(c) If the incapacitated person is not a resident of this state and owns no property in this state, in the county where any debtor of the incapacitated person resides.
(d) If the incapacitated person is a child or young adult under the jurisdiction of a dependency court, in the county where the child or young adult resides or in the county having jurisdiction of the dependency case.
(3) When the residence of an incapacitated person is changed to another county, the guardian shall petition to have the venue of the guardianship changed to the county of the acquired residence, except in cases where venue was established under paragraph (2)(d) or as provided in s. 744.1098.
(4) If an incapacitated person is a resident of this state and is found in a county other than the county of residence, the venue for declaration of incapacity and for the appointment of a guardian may be the county where the incapacitated person is found. Upon transfer of the incapacitated person to the county of residence, the guardian may have the venue of the guardianship changed to the county of residence and a successor guardian may be appointed.
  Previous section
Next section  
 Part I Contents