48.977(4)(a)(a)
Who may file petition. Any of the following persons may file a petition for the appointment of a guardian for a child under
sub. (2):
48.977(4)(a)1.
1. The child or the child's guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian.
48.977(4)(a)4.
4. The person with whom the child is placed or in whose home placement of the child is recommended as described in
sub. (2) (a), if the person is nominated as the guardian of the child in the petition.
48.977(4)(a)6.
6. A county department under
s. 46.22 or
46.23 or, if the child has been placed pursuant to an order under
ch. 938 or the child's placement with the guardian is recommended under
ch. 938, a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22, or
46.23.
48.977(4)(a)7.
7. A licensed child welfare agency that has been assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the child under a court order.
48.977(4)(b)
(b) Contents of petition. A proceeding for the appointment of a guardian for a child under
sub. (2) shall be initiated by a petition which shall be entitled "In the interest of .... (child's name), a person under the age of 18" and shall set forth all of the following with specificity:
48.977(4)(b)2.
2. The names and addresses of the child's parent or parents, guardian and legal custodian.
48.977(4)(b)3.
3. The date on which the child was adjudged in need of protection or services under
s. 48.13 (1),
(2),
(3),
(3m),
(4),
(4m),
(5),
(8),
(9),
(10),
(10m),
(11), or
(11m) or
938.13 (4) and the dates on which the child has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home pursuant to one or more court orders under
s. 48.345,
48.357,
48.363,
48.365,
938.345,
938.357,
938.363, or
938.365 or, if the child has been so adjudged, but not so placed, the date of the report under
s. 48.33 (1) or
938.33 (1) in which placement of the child in the home of the person is recommended.
48.977(4)(b)4.
4. A statement of the facts and circumstances which the petition alleges establish that the conditions specified in
sub. (2) (b) to
(f) are met.
48.977(4)(b)5.
5. A statement of whether the proceedings are subject to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act under
ch. 822.
48.977(4)(b)6.
6. A statement of whether the child may be subject to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act,
25 USC 1901 to
1963, and, if the child may be subject to that act, the names and addresses of the child's Indian custodian, if any, and Indian tribe, if known.
48.977(4)(c)1.1. The petitioner shall cause the petition and notice of the time and place of the hearing under
par. (cm) to be served upon all of the following persons:
48.977(4)(c)1.g.
g. The person with whom the child is placed or in whose home placement of the child is recommended as described in
sub. (2) (a), if the person is nominated as the guardian of the child in the petition.
48.977(4)(c)1.i.
i. The agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order.
48.977(4)(c)1.j.
j. If the child is an Indian child, the Indian child's Indian custodian, if any, and tribe, if known.
48.977(4)(c)2.
2. Except as provided in
subd. 2m., service shall be made by 1st class mail at least 7 days before the hearing or by personal service at least 7 days before the hearing or, if with reasonable diligence a party specified in
subd. 1. cannot be served by mail or personal service, service shall be made by publication of a notice published as a class 1 notice under
ch. 985. In determining which newspaper is likely to give notice as required under
s. 985.02 (1), the petitioner shall consider the residence of the party, if known, or the residence of the relatives of the party, if known, or the last-known location of the party.
48.977(4)(c)2m.
2m. If the petitioner knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, service under
subd. 2. to the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe shall be provided in the manner specified in
s. 48.028 (4) (a). No hearing may be held under
par. (cm) until at least 10 days after receipt of service by the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe or, if the identity or location of the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe cannot be determined, until at least 15 days after receipt of service by the U.S. secretary of the interior. On request of the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe, the court shall grant a continuance of up to 20 additional days to enable the requester to prepare for the hearing.
48.977(4)(cm)1.1. A hearing to determine whether any party wishes to contest a petition filed under
par. (a) shall take place on a date which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the filing of the petition. At the hearing, the nonpetitioning parties and the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or over or is otherwise competent to do so, shall state whether they wish to contest the petition. Before accepting a plea of no contest to the allegations in the petition, the court shall do all of the following:
48.977(4)(cm)1.a.
a. Address the parties present and determine that the plea is made voluntarily and with understanding of the nature of the facts alleged in the petition, the nature of the potential disposition and the nature of the legal consequences of that disposition.
48.977(4)(cm)1.b.
b. Establish whether any promises or threats were made to elicit the plea of no contest and alert all unrepresented parties to the possibility that an attorney may discover grounds to contest the petition that would not be apparent to those parties.
48.977(4)(cm)1.c.
c. Make inquiries to establish to the satisfaction of the court that there is a factual basis for the plea of no contest.
48.977(4)(cm)2.
2. If the petition is not contested and if the court accepts the plea of no contest, the court may immediately proceed to a dispositional hearing under
par. (fm), unless an adjournment is requested. If a party requests an adjournment, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the plea hearing.
48.977(4)(cm)3.
3. If the petition is contested or if the court does not accept the plea of no contest, the court shall set a date for a fact-finding hearing under
par. (d) which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is not more than 30 days after the plea hearing.
48.977(4)(d)
(d) Fact-finding hearing. The court shall hold a fact-finding hearing on the petition on the date set by the court under
par. (cm) 3., at which any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of whether the conditions specified in
sub. (2) (a) to
(f) have been met. If the court, at the conclusion of the fact-finding hearing, finds by clear and convincing evidence that the conditions specified in
sub. (2) (a) to
(f) have been met, the court shall immediately proceed to a dispositional hearing unless an adjournment is requested. If a party requests an adjournment, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the fact-finding hearing.
48.977(4)(e)
(e)
Court report. For a child who has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home for 6 months or longer, the court shall order the person or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order to file with the court a report containing the written summary under
s. 48.38 (5) (e) and as much information relating to the appointment of a guardian as is reasonably ascertainable. For a child who has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home for less than 6 months, the court shall order the person or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order to file with the court the report submitted under
s. 48.33 (1) or
938.33 (1), the permanency plan prepared under
s. 48.38 or
938.38, if one has been prepared, and as much information relating to the appointment of a guardian as is reasonably ascertainable. The agency shall file the report at least 48 hours before the date of the dispositional hearing under
par. (fm).
48.977(4)(fm)
(fm) Dispositional hearing. The court shall hold a dispositional hearing on the petition at the time specified or set by the court under
par. (cm) 2. or
(d), at which any party may present evidence, including expert testimony, relevant to the disposition.
48.977(4)(g)
(g) Dispositional factors. In determining the appropriate disposition under this section, the best interests of the child shall be the prevailing factor to be considered by the court. In making a decision about the appropriate disposition, the court shall consider any report submitted under
par. (e) and shall consider, but not be limited to, all of the following:
48.977(4)(g)1.
1. Whether the person would be a suitable guardian of the child.
48.977(4)(g)2.
2. The willingness and ability of the person to serve as the child's guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
48.977(4)(g)4.
4. If the child is an Indian child, the order of placement preference under
s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable,
s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in
s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. A strong attachment of the child to the person or a strong commitment of the person to caring permanently for the child does not, in itself, constitute good cause for departing from that order.
48.977(4)(h)
(h) Disposition. After receiving any evidence relating to the disposition, the court shall enter one of the following dispositions within 10 days after the dispositional hearing:
48.977(4)(h)1.
1. A disposition dismissing the petition if the court determines that appointment of the person as the child's guardian is not in the best interests of the child.
48.977(4)(h)2.
2. A disposition ordering that the person with whom the child has been placed or in whose home placement of the child is recommended as described in
sub. (2) (a) be appointed as the child's guardian under
sub. (5) (a) or limited guardian under
sub. (5) (b), if the court determines that such an appointment is in the best interests of the child.
48.977(4)(i)
(i)
Effect of disposition on permanency review process. After a disposition under
par. (h), the child's permanency plan shall continue to be reviewed under
s. 48.38 (5), if applicable.
48.977(5)
(5) Duties and authority of guardian. 48.977(5)(a)(a)
Full guardianship. Unless limited under
par. (b), a guardian appointed under
sub. (2) shall have all of the duties and authority specified in
s. 48.023.
48.977(5)(b)
(b) Limited guardianship. The court may order that the duties and authority of a guardian appointed under
sub. (2) be limited. The duties and authority of a limited guardian shall be as specified by the order of appointment under
sub. (4) (h) 2. or any revised order under
sub. (6). All provisions of the statutes concerning the duties and authority of a guardian shall apply to a limited guardian appointed under
sub. (2) to the extent those provisions are relevant to the duties or authority of the limited guardian, except as limited by the order of appointment.
48.977(6)
(6) Revision of guardianship order. 48.977(6)(a)(a) Any person authorized to file a petition under
sub. (4) (a) may request a revision in a guardianship order entered under this subsection or
sub. (4) (h) 2., or the court may, on its own motion, propose such a revision. The request or court proposal shall set forth in detail the nature of the proposed revision, shall allege facts sufficient to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered and that the proposed revision would be in the best interests of the child and shall allege any other information that affects the advisability of the court's disposition.
48.977(6)(b)
(b) The court shall hold a hearing on the matter prior to any revision of the guardianship order if the request or court proposal indicates that new information is available which affects the advisability of the court's guardianship order, unless written waivers of objections to the revision are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
48.977(6)(c)
(c) If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request or proposal shall be attached to the notice. The court may order a revision if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if the court determines that a revision would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(a)(a)
Term of guardianship. Unless the court order entered under
sub. (4) (h) 2. or
(6) specifies that a guardianship under this section be for a lesser period of time, a guardianship under this section shall continue until the child attains the age of 18 years or until terminated by the court, whichever occurs earlier.
48.977(7)(b)1.1. Any person authorized to file a petition under
sub. (4) (a) may request that a guardian appointed under
sub. (2) be removed for cause or the court may, on its own motion, propose such a removal. The request or court proposal shall allege facts sufficient to show that the guardian is or has been neglecting, is or has been refusing or is or has been unable to discharge the guardian's trust and may allege facts relating to any other information that affects the advisability of the court's disposition.
48.977(7)(b)2.
2. The court shall hold a hearing on the matter unless written waivers of objections to the removal are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
48.977(7)(b)3.
3. If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request or court proposal shall be attached to the notice. The court shall remove the guardian for cause if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that the guardian is or has been neglecting, is or has been refusing or is or has been unable to discharge the guardian's trust and if the court determines that removal of the guardian would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(c)
(c) Resignation. A guardian appointed under
sub. (2) may resign at any time if the resignation is accepted by the court.
48.977(7)(d)1.1. A parent of the child may request that a guardianship order entered under
sub. (4) (h) 2. or a revised order entered under
sub. (6) be terminated. The request shall allege facts sufficient to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered, that the parent is willing and able to carry out the duties of a guardian and that the proposed termination of guardianship would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(d)2.
2. The court shall hold a hearing on the matter unless written waivers of objections to the termination are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
48.977(7)(d)3.
3. If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request shall be attached to the notice. The court shall terminate the guardianship if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered and the parent is willing and able to carry out the duties of a guardian and if the court determines that termination of the guardianship would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(e)
(e) Termination on termination of parental rights. If a court enters an order under
s. 48.427 (3p) or
48.428 (2) (b), the court shall terminate the guardianship under this section.
48.977(8)
(8) Relationship to ch. 54 and ch. 880, 2003 stats. 48.977(8)(a)(a) This section does not abridge the duties or authority of a guardian appointed under
ch. 54 or ch.
880, 2003 stats.
48.977(8)(b)
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits an individual from petitioning a court under
ch. 54 for appointment of a guardian.
48.978
48.978
Appointment or designation of standby guardian of a child. 48.978(1)(a)
(a) "Attending physician" means a physician licensed under
ch. 448 who has primary responsibility for the treatment and care of a parent who has filed a petition under
sub. (2) (a) or made a written designation under
sub. (3) (a) or, if more than one physician has responsibility for the treatment and care of that parent, if a physician is acting on behalf of a physician who has primary responsibility for the treatment and care of that parent or if no physician is responsible for the treatment and care of that parent, "attending physician" means any physician licensed under
ch. 448 who is familiar with the medical condition of that parent.
48.978(1)(b)
(b) "Debilitation" means a person's chronic and substantial inability, as a result of a physical illness, disease, impairment or injury, to care for his or her child.
48.978(1)(c)
(c) "Incapacity" means a person's chronic and substantial inability, as a result of a mental impairment, to care for his or her child.
48.978(2)(a)1.1. A parent of a child may file a petition for the judicial appointment of a standby guardian of the person or estate or both of the child under this subsection. A parent may include in the petition the nomination of an alternate standby guardian for the court to appoint if the person nominated as standby guardian is unwilling or unable to serve as the child's guardian or if the court determines that appointment of the person nominated as standby guardian as the child's guardian is not in the best interests of the child. Subject to
subds. 2. and
3., if a petition is filed under this subdivision, the petition shall be joined by each parent of the child.
48.978(2)(a)2.
2. If a parent of a child cannot with reasonable diligence locate the other parent of the child, the parent may file a petition under
subd. 1. without the other parent joining in the petition and, if the parent filing the petition submits proof satisfactory to the court of that reasonable diligence, the court may grant the petition.
48.978(2)(a)3.
3. If a parent of a child can locate the other parent of the child, but that other parent refuses to join in the petition or indicates that he or she is unwilling or unable to exercise the duty and authority of guardianship, the parent may file a petition under
subd. 1. without the other parent joining in the petition and, if the parent filing the petition submits proof satisfactory to the court of that refusal, unwillingness or inability, the court may grant the petition.
48.978(2)(b)
(b)
Contents of petition. A proceeding for the appointment of a standby guardian for a child under this subsection shall be initiated by a petition that shall be entitled "In the interest of .... (child's name), a person under the age of 18" and shall set forth with specificity all of the following:
48.978(2)(b)2.
2. The names and addresses of the child's parent or parents, guardian and legal custodian.
48.978(2)(b)3.
3. The name and address of the person nominated as standby guardian and, if the petitioner is nominating an alternate standby guardian, the name and address of the person nominated as alternate standby guardian.
48.978(2)(b)4.
4. The duties and authority that the petitioner wishes the standby guardian to exercise.
48.978(2)(b)5.
5. A statement of whether the duty and authority of the standby guardian are to become effective on the petitioner's incapacity, on the petitioner's death, or on the petitioner's debilitation and consent to the beginning of the duty and authority of the standby guardian, or on whichever occurs first.
