1. Guardian has powers of a parent. Except as otherwise limited by the court, a guardian of a minor has the powers of a parent regarding the minor’s support, care, education, health and welfare.

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

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Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-208

  • Conservator: includes a coconservator. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-102
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • 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: includes a coguardian but does not include a guardian ad litem. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-102
  • 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.
  • Minor: means an unemancipated individual who is under 18 years of age. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-102
  • Parent: means a person who has established a parent-child relationship with the child under Title 19?A, chapter 61 and whose parental rights have not been terminated. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-102
  • Person: means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality or other legal entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-102
  • State: includes an Indian tribe or band recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C Sec. 5-102
2. Specific powers. A guardian may:
A. Apply for and receive money for the support of the minor otherwise payable to the minor’s parent, guardian or custodian under the terms of any statutory system of benefits or insurance or any private contract, devise, trust, conservatorship or custodianship; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. If otherwise consistent with the terms of any order by a court of competent jurisdiction relating to custody of the minor, take custody of the minor and establish the minor’s place of custodial dwelling, but may establish or move the minor’s custodial dwelling outside the State only upon express authorization of the court; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C. If a conservator for the estate of a minor has not been appointed with existing authority, commence a proceeding, including an administrative proceeding, or take other appropriate action to compel a person to support the minor or to pay money for the benefit of the minor; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
D. Except as limited by section 5?807, consent to medical or other care, treatment or service for the minor; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
E. Consent to the marriage of the minor; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
F. If reasonable under all of the circumstances, delegate to the minor certain responsibilities for decisions affecting the minor’s well-being. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

3. Consent to adoption. The court may specifically authorize the guardian to consent to the adoption of the minor.

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

4. Powers of coguardians. If coguardians are appointed, the powers of the guardians are joint and several, unless limited by the appointing document.

[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).