South Carolina Code 62-5-303B. Procedure for court appointment of a guardian; appointments of counsel, guardians ad litem, and an examiner
(1) upon the expiration of fifteen days from filing the proof of service on the alleged incapacitated individual, if no notice of appearance has been filed by counsel retained by the alleged incapacitated individual, appoint counsel;
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 62-5-303B
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- 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.
- Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
(2) no later than thirty days from the filing of the proof of service on the alleged incapacitated individual, appoint:
(a) a guardian ad litem for the alleged incapacitated individual who shall have the duties and responsibilities set forth in § 62-5-106; and
(b) one examiner, who must be a physician, to examine the alleged incapacitated individual and file a notarized report setting forth his evaluation of the condition of the alleged incapacitated individual in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 62-5-303D. Unless the guardian ad litem or the alleged incapacitated individual objects, if a physician’s notarized report is filed with the petition and served upon the alleged incapacitated individual and all interested parties with the petition, then the court may appoint such physician as the examiner. Upon the court’s own motion or upon request of the initial examiner, the alleged incapacitated individual, or his guardian ad litem, the court may appoint a second examiner, who must be a physician, nurse, social worker, or psychologist.
(B) At any time during the proceeding, if requested by a guardian ad litem who is not an attorney, the court may appoint counsel for the guardian ad litem.
(C) At the attorney’s discretion, the attorney for the alleged incapacitated individual may file a motion requesting that the court relieve him as the attorney if the alleged incapacitated individual is incapable of communicating, with or without reasonable accommodations, his wishes, interests, or preferences regarding the appointment of a guardian. The attorney must file an affidavit in support of the motion. If the court is satisfied that the alleged incapacitated individual is incapable of communicating, with or without reasonable accommodations, his wishes, interests, or preferences regarding the appointment of a guardian, then the court may relieve the attorney from his duties as attorney for the alleged incapacitated individual. If the former attorney requests to be appointed as the guardian ad litem, the court may appoint him to serve as the guardian ad litem. An attorney cannot serve as both an attorney and as a guardian ad litem in a guardianship action.