(a) The court may appoint a guardian for an unmarried minor if all parental rights have been terminated or suspended by circumstances or prior order of a court having jurisdiction; unless a custodian has been appointed under Section 26-18-8, or otherwise by the juvenile court when parental rights have been terminated or suspended. A guardian appointed pursuant to Section 26-2A-71 whose appointment has not been prevented or nullified under Section 26-2A-72 has priority over any guardian who may be appointed by the court, but the court may proceed with another appointment upon a finding that the parental nominee has failed to accept the appointment within 30 days after notice of the guardianship proceeding.
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Terms Used In Alabama Code 26-2A-73

  • 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.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
(b) If necessary, and on appropriate petition or application, the court may appoint a temporary guardian who shall have the full authority of a general guardian of a minor, but the authority of a temporary guardian may not last longer than six months. The appointment of a temporary guardian for a minor may occur even though the conditions described in subsection (a) have not been established.
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