Arizona Laws 8-873.01. Permanent guardianship dependency proceedings; reunification services
A. If a dependency petition is filed on a permanent guardian, the court shall order reunification services in the pending dependency proceeding for the parent whose child was previously adjudicated dependent resulting in the appointment of the permanent guardian if, after receiving notice, the parent meets all of the following:
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 8-873.01
- Department: means the department of child safety. See Arizona Laws 8-201
- Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Petition: means a written statement of the essential facts that allege delinquency, incorrigibility or dependency. See Arizona Laws 8-201
1. Is willing to care for the child.
2. Makes a written or oral request to the court to participate in reunification services at the parent’s initial appearance.
3. Proves by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a significant change of circumstances that indicates that the parent may be able to care for the child and that reunification services are in the child’s best interests.
B. If the parent is willing to care for the child and requests to participate in reunification services, the court shall set a hearing to determine if there has been a significant change of circumstances that indicates that the parent may be able to care for the child and if reunification services are in the child’s best interests.
C. If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a significant change of circumstances that indicates that the parent may be able to care for the child and that reunification services are in the child’s best interests, the court shall order the department to provide reunification services to the parent.