Temporary guardian for proposed protected minor in need of immediate medical attention: Petition for appointment; conditions; required notice; extension.

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1. A petitioner may request the court to appoint a temporary guardian for a proposed protected minor who is in need of immediate medical attention which he or she cannot obtain without the appointment of a temporary guardian. To support the request, the petitioner must set forth in a petition and present to the court under oath:

(a) Documentation which shows that the proposed protected minor needs immediate medical attention and, without the appointment of a temporary guardian, cannot obtain that medical attention. Such documentation must include, without limitation, a copy of the birth certificate of the proposed protected minor or other documentation verifying the age of the proposed protected minor.

(b) Facts which show that:

(1) The petitioner has tried in good faith to notify the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047 by telephone or in writing before the filing of the petition;

(2) The proposed protected minor would be exposed to an immediate risk of physical harm if the petitioner were to provide notice to the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047 before the court determines whether to appoint a temporary guardian; or

(3) Giving notice to the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047 is not feasible under the circumstances.

2. The court may appoint a temporary guardian to serve for 10 days if the court:

(a) Finds reasonable cause to believe that the proposed protected minor is in need of immediate medical attention which he or she cannot obtain without the appointment of a temporary guardian; and

(b) Is satisfied that the petitioner has tried in good faith to notify the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047 or that giving notice to those persons is not feasible under the circumstances, or determines that such notice is not required pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, after the appointment of a temporary guardian, the petitioner shall attempt in good faith to notify the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047, including, without limitation, notice of any hearing to extend the temporary guardianship. If the petitioner fails to make such an effort, the court may terminate the temporary guardianship.

4. If, before the appointment of a temporary guardian, the court was satisfied that giving notice to the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047 was not feasible under the circumstances or determined that such notice was not required pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1, the petitioner shall notify the persons entitled to notice pursuant to NRS 159A.047 without undue delay, but not later than 48 hours after the appointment of the temporary guardian or not later than 48 hours after the petitioner discovers the existence, identity and location of the persons entitled to notice pursuant to that section. If the petitioner fails to provide such notice, the court may terminate the temporary guardianship.

5. Not later than 10 days after the date of the appointment of a temporary guardian pursuant to subsection 2, the court shall hold a hearing to determine the need to extend the temporary guardianship. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the protected minor continues to be in need of immediate medical attention which he or she cannot obtain without the extension of the temporary guardianship, the court may, pursuant to subsection 8, extend the temporary guardianship until a general guardian is appointed.

6. If the court appoints a temporary guardian or extends a temporary guardianship pursuant to this section, the court shall limit the powers of the temporary guardian to those necessary to respond to the need for immediate medical attention.

7. The court may not extend a temporary guardianship pursuant to subsection 5 beyond the initial period of 10 days unless the petitioner demonstrates that:

(a) The provisions of NRS 159A.0475 have been satisfied; or

(b) Notice by publication pursuant to the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure is currently being undertaken.

8. The court may extend the temporary guardianship, for good cause shown, for not more than two successive 60-day periods.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 823)


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