| 11 | 23 | | |
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| 12 | 24 | | AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR AN ADULT WHO IS SUBJECT TO A CONSERVATORSHIP OR A CONSERVATORSHIP PROCEEDING. |
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| 13 | 25 | | |
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| 14 | 26 | | Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: |
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| 15 | 27 | | |
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| 16 | 28 | | Section 1. Section 45a-132 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010): |
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| 17 | 29 | | |
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| 18 | 30 | | (a) [In] (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, in any proceeding before a court of probate or the Superior Court including the Family Support Magistrate Division, whether acting upon an appeal from probate or otherwise, the judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem for any minor or incompetent, undetermined or unborn person, or may appoint one guardian ad litem for two or more of such minors or incompetent, undetermined or unborn persons, if it appears to the judge or magistrate that one or more persons as individuals, or as members of a designated class or otherwise, have or may have an interest in the proceedings, and that one or more of them are minors, incompetent persons or persons undetermined or unborn at the time of the proceeding. |
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| 19 | 31 | | |
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| 20 | | - | (2) No judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem in a proceeding under section 17a-543 or 17a-543a, sections 45a-644 to 45a-663, inclusive, or section 45a-705a for any person eighteen years of age or older who is represented by an attorney, and is a respondent or has a conservator of the estate or a conservator of the person appointed on such person's behalf, unless the person's attorney is unable to ascertain the preferences of the person, including preferences previously expressed by the person. Prior to appointing a guardian ad litem under this subdivision, the judge or magistrate shall question the person for the sole purpose of determining the person's preferences or inability to express such preferences. If the judge or magistrate appoints a guardian ad litem under this subdivision, the judge's or magistrate's order shall (A) limit the appointment in scope and duration, and (B) grant the guardian ad litem only the specific duty to answer specific questions posed by the judge or magistrate, including questions designed to ascertain whether the attorney's or conservator's proposed course of action is the least restrictive means of intervention available to assist the person in managing his or her affairs or caring for himself or herself. Any appointment of a guardian ad litem under this subdivision shall terminate upon the guardian ad litem's report to the judge or magistrate, or earlier upon the order of the judge or magistrate. |
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| 32 | + | (2) No judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem for any person eighteen years of age or older who is represented by an attorney and who is a respondent, or is under a conservatorship and has a conservator of the estate or a conservator of the person appointed on such person's behalf, unless the person's attorney is unable to ascertain the preferences of the person, including preferences previously expressed by the person. Prior to appointing a guardian ad litem under this subdivision, the judge or magistrate shall question the person for the sole purpose of determining the person's preferences or inability to express such preferences. If the judge or magistrate appoints a guardian ad litem under this subdivision, the judge's or magistrate's order shall limit the appointment in scope and duration and shall grant the guardian ad litem only the specific duty to ascertain whether the attorney's or conservator's proposed course of action is the least restrictive means of intervention available to assist the person in managing his or her affairs or caring for himself or herself. Any appointment of a guardian ad litem under this subdivision shall terminate upon the filing of the guardian ad litem's report with the judge or magistrate, or earlier upon the order of the judge or magistrate. |
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| 21 | 33 | | |
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| 22 | 34 | | (3) For the purposes of subdivision (2) of this subsection, "conservator of the estate", "conservator of the person", "least restrictive means of intervention" and "respondent" have the meanings set forth in section 45a-644. |
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| 23 | 35 | | |
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| 24 | 36 | | (b) The appointment shall not be mandatory, but shall be within the discretion of the judge or magistrate. |
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| 25 | 37 | | |
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| 26 | 38 | | (c) Any order or decree passed or action taken in any such proceeding shall affect all the minors, incompetent persons or persons thereafter born or determined for whom the guardian ad litem has been appointed, in the same manner as if they had been of the age of majority and competent and present in court after legal notice at the time of the action or the issuance of the order or decree. |
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| 27 | 39 | | |
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| 28 | 40 | | (d) Any appointment of a guardian ad litem may be made with or without notice and, if it appears to the judge or magistrate that it is for the best interests of a minor having a parent or guardian to have as guardian ad litem some person other than the parent or guardian, the judge or magistrate may appoint a disinterested person to be the guardian ad litem. |
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| 29 | 41 | | |
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| 30 | 42 | | (e) When the appointment is made in connection with the settlement of a decedent's estate or the settlement of the account of a trustee or other fiduciary, the person so appointed shall be authorized to represent the minor or incompetent, undetermined or unborn person in all proceedings for the settlement of the estate or account and subsequent accounts of the trustee or other fiduciary, or until his appointment is terminated by death, resignation or removal. |
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| 31 | 43 | | |
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| 32 | 44 | | (f) The guardian ad litem may be removed by the judge or magistrate which appointed [him] the guardian ad litem, without notice, whenever it appears to the judge or magistrate to be in the best interests of the ward or wards of the guardian. |
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| 33 | 45 | | |
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| 34 | 46 | | (g) Any guardian ad litem appointed under the provisions of this section may be allowed reasonable compensation by the judge or magistrate appointing [him] the guardian ad litem and shall be paid as a part of the expenses of administration. |
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| 35 | 47 | | |
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| 36 | 48 | | |
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| 37 | 49 | | |
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| 38 | 50 | | |
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| 39 | 51 | | This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: |
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| 40 | 52 | | Section 1 October 1, 2010 45a-132 |
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| 41 | 53 | | |
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| 42 | 54 | | This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: |
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| 43 | 55 | | |
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| 44 | 56 | | Section 1 |
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| 45 | 57 | | |
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| 46 | 58 | | October 1, 2010 |
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| 47 | 59 | | |
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| 48 | 60 | | 45a-132 |
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| 49 | 61 | | |
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