Section 5-318 - Hearings on guardianship petition. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-318. Hearings on guardianship petition.
 

(a)  Consensual guardianship.-  

(1) In addition to any hearing required under this subsection or § 5-306(b)(2) of this subtitle, a juvenile court may hold a hearing before entering a guardianship order under § 5-320(a)(1) of this subtitle or otherwise ruling on a guardianship petition. 

(2) If a party becomes aware, before a juvenile court rules on a guardianship petition, that a condition of consent under § 5-320(b) of this subtitle may not be fulfilled: 

(i) the party promptly shall: 

1. file notice with the juvenile court; 

2. give notice to all of the other parties; and 

3. if consent was received from a governmental unit or person who is not a party, give notice to that unit or person; 

(ii) the juvenile court shall schedule a hearing to occur within 30 days after the filing of the notice; and 

(iii) if the party, unit, or person whose condition cannot be fulfilled fails to enter into a new consent, the juvenile court shall set the case in for a prompt trial on the merits of the petition. 

(b)  Nonconsensual guardianship.- Before a juvenile court grants guardianship under § 5-320(a)(2) of this subtitle, the juvenile court shall hold a trial on the merits of the petition. 

(c)  Notice of hearings.- Before a trial or other hearing under this section, a juvenile court shall give notice to all of the parties. 
 

[2005, ch. 464, § 3; 2006, ch. 365, § 2.]