(a)  A court of this state having jurisdiction under § 33-15.2-203 to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-206

  • Conservator: means a person appointed by the court to administer the property of an adult, including a person appointed under chapter 15 of Title 33. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • 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 appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the person of an adult, including a person appointed under chapter 15 of Title 33. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • 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.
  • Protective order: means an order appointing a conservator or another court order related to management of an adult's property. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • Protective proceeding: means a judicial proceeding in which a protective order is sought or has been issued. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • Respondent: means an adult for whom a protective order or the appointment of a guardian is sought. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • 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 Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102

(b)  If a court of this state declines jurisdiction over a guardianship or protective proceeding under subsection (a) of this section, it shall either dismiss the proceeding or stay the proceeding. The court may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a guardian or protective order be promptly filed in another state.

(c)  In determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including:

(1)  Any expressed preference of the respondent;

(2)  Whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the respondent has occurred or is likely to occur and which state could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

(3)  The length of time the respondent was physically present in or was a legal resident of this or another state;

(4)  The distance of the respondent from the court in each state;

(5)  The financial circumstances of the respondent’s estate;

(6)  The nature and location of the evidence;

(7)  The ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence;

(8)  The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding; and

(9)  If an appointment were made, the court’s ability to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.

History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 210, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 241, § 1.