1.    Any person interested in the welfare of an allegedly incapacitated person may petition for the appointment of a guardian. No filing fee under this or any other section may be required when a petition for guardianship of an incapacitated person is filed by a member of the individual treatment plan team for the alleged incapacitated person or by any state employee in the performance of official duties.

2.    The petition for appointment of a guardian must state:

a.    The name, address, and corporate or agency status of the petitioner, and its connection with or relationship to the proposed ward; b.    The name, age, and address of the proposed ward; c.    The name and address of any person or institution having care or custody over the proposed ward; d.    The names and addresses of the spouse, parents, and adult children or, if none, any adult siblings and any adult with whom the proposed ward resides in a private residence, or, if none, the nearest adult relative; e.    A brief description of and the approximate value of the real and personal property and income of the proposed ward, so far as they are known to the petitioner; f.    The extent of guardianship authority sought, including full authority, limited authority, or no authority in each area of residential, educational, medical, legal, vocational, and financial decisionmaking unless the petitioner is undecided on the extent of authority in any area, in which case the petition must state the specific areas in which the authority is sought; g.    The occupation and qualifications of the proposed guardian; h.    The name and address of the attorney, if known, who most recently represented the proposed ward;     i.    A statement alleging specific facts establishing the necessity for the appointment of a guardian; j.    The name and address of any current conservator appointed for the proposed ward; k.    The name and address of any person designated as an attorney in fact or agent in a power of attorney or as an agent in a health care directive; l.    The name and address of any representative payee for the proposed ward; m.    That less intrusive alternatives to guardianship have been considered; n.    In the form of an attached recent statement, the physical, neurological, and psychological limitations of the proposed ward from an expert examiner, if available; o.    Whether the petition seeks to restrict any of the following rights: (1) To vote; (2) To seek to change marital status; (3) To obtain or retain a motor vehicle operator’s license; or

(4) To use, own, control, or possess a firearm; and

p.    If the proposed guardian seeks authority for involuntary treatment with prescribed mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medication under section 30.1-28-16, facts specified under subsection 3 of section 30.1-28-16. The petitioner also shall attach a recent report under subsection 2 of section 30.1-28-16.

3.    Upon the filing of a petition, the court promptly shall set a date for hearing on the issues of incapacity, appoint an attorney to act as guardian ad litem, appoint an expert examiner to examine the proposed ward, and appoint a visitor to interview the proposed guardian and the proposed ward. The proposed guardian shall attend the hearing on the petition unless excused by the court for good cause.

4.    The duties of the guardian ad litem include:

a.    Personally interviewing the proposed ward; b.    Explaining the guardianship proceeding to the proposed ward in the language, mode of communication, and terms that the proposed ward is most likely to understand, including the nature and possible consequences of the proceeding, the right to which the proposed ward is entitled, and the legal options that are available, including the right to retain an attorney to represent the proposed ward; c.    Advocating for the best interests of the proposed ward. The appointed attorney serving as legal guardian ad litem may not represent the proposed ward or ward in a legal capacity; d.    Submitting a written report to the court containing the guardian ad litem’s response to the petition and an assessment of the proposed ward’s ability to attend the hearing either in person or by remote means; and

e.    Reviewing the visitor’s written report submitted in accordance with subdivision h and i of subsection 6 and discussing the report with the proposed ward.

5.    The expert examiner shall examine the proposed ward and submit a written report to the court. The written report must contain:

a.    A description of the nature and degree of any current incapacity or disability, including the medical or psychological history, if reasonably available; b.    A medical prognosis or psychological evaluation specifying the estimated severity and duration of any current incapacity or disability; c.    A statement as to how or in what manner any underlying condition of physical or mental health affects the proposed ward’s ability to provide for personal needs; and d.    A statement as to whether any current medication or physical or mental condition affects the demeanor of the proposed ward or the ability of the proposed ward to attend and participate fully in any court proceeding or in any other procedure required by the court or by court rule.

6.    The visitor shall have the following duties:

     a.    To meet, interview, and consult with the proposed ward regarding the guardianship proceeding, including explaining the purpose for the interview in a manner the proposed ward can reasonably be expected to understand.

b.    To ascertain the proposed ward’s views concerning the proposed guardian, the powers and duties of the proposed guardian, the proposed guardianship, and the scope and duration thereof.

c.    To interview the person seeking appointment as guardian.

d.    To interview other persons interested in the welfare of the proposed ward. e.    To visit the proposed ward’s present place of residence.

f.    To discuss an alternative resource plan with the proposed ward, if appropriate. g.    To obtain other relevant information as directed by the court.

h.    To submit a written report to the court.

i.    The visitor’s written report must contain:

(1) A description of the nature and degree of any current impairment of the proposed ward’s understanding or capacity to make or communicate decisions; (2) A statement of the qualifications and appropriateness of the proposed guardian and a recommendation regarding whether the proposed guardian should be appointed; (3) If the visitor recommends the proposed guardian should not be appointed, a recommendation regarding an alternative individual or entity that should be appointed as guardian; (4) Recommendations, if any, on the powers to be granted to the proposed guardian, including an evaluation of the proposed ward’s capacity to perform the functions enumerated under subsections 3 and 4 of section 30.1-28-04; (5) An assessment of the capacity of the proposed ward to perform the activities of daily living; and

(6) An assessment of the proposed ward’s ability to attend the hearing either in person or by remote means.

7.    In determining whether appointment of a guardian is appropriate, the court shall consider the reports ordered by the court under this section from a guardian ad litem, visitor, and an expert examiner. The court, guardian ad litem, petitioner, or proposed ward may subpoena the individual who prepared and submitted the report to appear, testify, and be cross-examined.

8.    The proposed ward must be present at the hearing in person or by remote means, unless good cause is shown for the absence. Good cause does not consist only of the physical difficulty of the proposed ward to attend the hearing. The proposed ward has the right to present evidence, and to cross-examine witnesses, including the court-appointed expert examiner and the visitor.

9.    Every hearing under this chapter must be closed to the public unless the proposed ward, the ward, the attorney, or guardian ad litem of the proposed ward or ward requests it remain open. An individual or entity may request permission to observe or participate in the hearing and the request must be granted if the court determines the applicant’s participation would be in the best interest of the proposed ward or ward.

10.    The court shall take all necessary steps to make the courts and court proceedings accessible and understandable to impaired persons. Accordingly, the court may convene temporarily, or for the entire proceeding, at any other location if it is in the best interest of the proposed ward.

11.    If the court appoints a visitor, lawyer, or expert examiner in a guardianship proceeding, that person may receive reasonable compensation from the ward’s estate if the compensation will not unreasonably jeopardize the ward’s well-being.

12.    If the court approves a guardian or emergency guardian in a guardianship proceeding, that person may receive reasonable compensation and reimbursement from the ward’s estate if the compensation and reimbursement will not unreasonably jeopardize the ward’s well-being and estate. The court shall consider the following factors when determining what constitutes reasonable compensation and reimbursement:

a.    The size and nature of the ward’s estate; b.    The benefit to the ward, or the ward’s estate, of the guardian’s services; c.    The necessity for the services performed; d.    The ward’s anticipated future needs and income; e.    The time spent by the guardian in the performance of the services; f.    Whether the services were routine or required more than ordinary skill or judgment; g.    Any unusual skill, expertise, or experience brought to the performance of the services; h.    The guardian’s estimate of the value of the services performed; i.    The fee customarily charged in the community for similar services; j.    The nature and length of the relationship with the ward; k.    The experience, reputation, diligence, and ability of the person performing the service; l.    Any conflict of interest the guardian may have; and

m.    Whether the appointment as guardian precluded the guardian from other employment.

13.    The court may determine the weight to be given to each factor under subsection 12, and to any other factor the court considers relevant. A separate finding is not required for each factor, but the court’s findings must contain sufficient specificity to show the factual basis for the court’s determination.

14.    The court must approve compensation and reimbursement before payment to the guardian is made.