59-3059. Petition for appointment of guardian or conservator for minor; contents; plan.
(a) (1) Any person may file in the district court of the county of residence of the proposed ward or proposed conservatee or of any county wherein the proposed ward or proposed conservatee may be found, a verified petition requesting the appointment of a guardian or a conservator, or both, for a minor in need of a guardian or conservator, or both. If the proposed conservatee is not a resident of or present within the state of Kansas, such petition may be filed in the district court of any county in which any property of the proposed conservatee is situated.
(2) If a petition is filed in the district court of a county other than the county of residence of the minor, the court may consider whether it is in the best interests of the minor or in the interests of justice for the proceedings to take place in that county.
(3) If the court finds it is not in the best interests of the minor or in the interests of justice that the proceedings take place in that county and the minor is a nonresident of the state of Kansas, the court may dismiss the matter immediately, or may continue the matter for a specific period of time not to exceed 60 days to allow for the filing of proceedings in the state of residence. After the expiration of that period of time, or upon the filing of proceedings in the state of residence, the court shall dismiss the petition without prejudice.
(4) If the court finds it is not in the best interests of the minor or in the interests of justice that the proceedings take place in that county and the minor is a resident of a different county in Kansas, the court may dismiss the matter immediately, or may transfer venue to the county of residence, or may continue the matter for a specific period of time not to exceed 60 days to allow for the filing of proceedings in the county of residence. After the expiration of that period of time, or upon the filing of proceedings in the county of residence, the court shall dismiss the petition without prejudice.
(b) The petition shall include:
(1) The petitioner's name and address;
(2) the minor's name, age, date of birth, address of permanent residence, and present address or whereabouts, if different from the minor's permanent residence;
(3) the places where the minor has lived during the last five years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the minor has lived during that period;
(4) if the minor is a nonresident of the county in which the petition is filed, a statement of why it is in the best interests of the minor or in the interests of justice for the proceedings to take place in that county;
(5) a statement that it is the petitioner's belief that the proposed ward or proposed conservatee is a minor in need of a guardian or conservator, or both;
(6) the factual basis upon which the petitioner makes that allegation;
(7) the names and addresses of any spouse of the minor, any natural guardian, any grandparent, any person nominated by a natural guardian to be the guardian or conservator, or both, any child or children of the minor, any permanent custodian appointed for the minor pursuant to K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 38-2269, and amendments thereto, any fiduciary appointed for the minor by any court order, and any other person or agency having or claiming a right to legal or physical custody of or visitation with the minor or who has assumed responsibility for or care of the minor, and the circumstances under which the minor came into such person's or agency's care or control. If no such names or addresses are known to the petitioner, but the petitioner has reason to believe such persons exist, then the petition shall state that fact and that the petitioner has made diligent inquiry to learn those names and addresses;
(8) a list and description of all court proceedings in which the minor is or has recently been a party, or is or has recently been the subject of, or was or may be a beneficiary of, or in which any rights of the minor were or may be determined or affected, including any proceedings concerning the custody of or visitation with the minor, any domestic relations matters, juvenile proceedings or adoptions, and the name and address of any attorney who represents or has represented the minor in any such matter. If not known, the petition shall state that the petitioner has made diligent inquiry to learn this information;
(9) in general terms, the location, type, and value of any real or personal property of the minor, including the amount and sources of any income of the minor. If not known, the petition shall state that the petitioner has made diligent inquiry to learn this information;
(10) the names and addresses of witnesses by whom the truth of the petition may be proved;
(11) the name, age, date of birth, gender, address, place of employment, relationship to the minor, if any, of the individual or corporation whom the petitioner suggests that the court appoint as guardian or conservator, or both, and any personal or agency interest of the proposed guardian or proposed conservator that may be perceived as self-serving or adverse to the position or best interest of the proposed ward or proposed conservatee;
(12) if the petitioner suggests the appointment of co-guardians or co-conservators, or both, a statement of the reasons why such appointment is sought and whether the petitioner suggests that the co-guardians or co-conservators, if appointed, should be able to act independently or whether they should be required to act only in concert or only in concert with regard to specified matters; and
(13) a request that the court make a determination that the proposed ward or proposed conservatee is a minor in need of a guardian or a conservator, or both, that the court enter one or more of the orders provided for in K.S.A. 59-3063 and 59-3065, and amendments thereto, and that the court appoint a guardian or a conservator, or both, for the minor.
(c) Any such petition may be accompanied by, or the court may require that such petition be accompanied by, a proposed guardianship plan as provided for in K.S.A. 59-3076, and amendments thereto, or a proposed conservatorship plan as provided for in K.S.A. 59-3079, and amendments thereto, or both.
History: L. 2002, ch. 114, § 10; L. 2006, ch. 200, § 104; L. 2008, ch. 64, § 4; L. 2010, ch. 52, § 3; July 1.