2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 18-C: PROBATE CODE › Article 5: MAINE UNIFORM GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS › Part 4: CONSERVATORSHIP › 18-C §5-431. Termination or modification of conservatorship

§5-431. Termination or modification of conservatorship
1.  Conservatorship for a minor.
A conservatorship for a minor terminates on the earlier of:
A. An order of the court;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. The minor becoming an adult or, if the minor consents or the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that substantial harm to the minor's interests is otherwise likely, attaining 21 years of age;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C. Emancipation of the minor; and   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
D. Death of the minor.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2.  Conservatorship for an adult.
A conservatorship for an adult terminates on order of the court or when the adult dies.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3.  Petition for termination or modification.
An individual subject to conservatorship, the conservator or a person interested in the welfare of the individual may petition for:
A. Termination of the conservatorship on the ground that a basis for appointment under section 5‑401 does not exist or termination would be in the best interest of the individual, or for other good cause; or   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. Modification of the conservatorship on the ground that the extent of protection or assistance granted is not appropriate, or for other good cause.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4.  Hearing.
The court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether termination or modification of a conservatorship is appropriate on:
A. Petition under subsection 3 that contains allegations that, if true, would support a reasonable belief that termination or modification of the conservatorship may be appropriate, but the court may decline to hold a hearing if a petition based on the same or substantially similar facts was filed within the preceding 6 months;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B. A communication from the individual subject to conservatorship, the conservator or a person interested in the welfare of the individual that supports a reasonable belief that termination or modification of the conservatorship may be appropriate, including because of a change in the functional needs of the individual or in the supports or services available to the individual;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C. A report from a guardian or conservator that indicates that termination or modification may be appropriate because the functional needs or supports or services available to the individual subject to conservatorship have changed or a protective arrangement of conservatorship or other less restrictive alternatives are available; or   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
D. A determination by the court that a hearing would be in the best interest of the individual.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
5.  Notice of petition.
Notice of a petition under subsection 3 must be given to the individual subject to conservatorship, the conservator and such other persons as the court determines.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
6.  Termination.
On presentation of prima facie evidence for termination of a conservatorship, the court shall order termination unless a basis for appointment of a conservator under section 5‑401 is satisfied.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
7.  Modification.
The court shall modify the powers granted to a conservator if the powers are excessive or inadequate due to a change in the abilities or limitations of the individual subject to conservatorship, the individual's supports or other circumstances.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
8.  Safeguard rights of individual.
Unless the court otherwise orders for good cause, before terminating or modifying a conservatorship, the court shall follow the same procedures to safeguard the rights of the individual subject to conservatorship that apply to a petition for conservatorship.
[PL 2021, c. 4, §5 (AMD).]
9.  Attorney for individual subject to conservatorship.
If an individual subject to conservatorship who seeks to terminate or modify the terms of the conservatorship is not represented by an attorney, the court shall appoint an attorney under the same conditions in section 5‑406. The court shall award reasonable attorney's fees to the individual's attorney as provided in section 5‑119.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
10.  Property; report; petition for discharge.
On termination of a conservatorship and whether or not formally distributed by the conservator, property of the conservatorship estate passes to the individual formerly subject to conservatorship or other persons entitled to the property. The order of termination must provide for expenses of administration and direct the conservator to file a final report and petition for discharge on approval of the final report.
[PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §82 (AMD).]
11.  Discharge.
The court shall enter a final order of discharge on the approval of the final report and satisfaction by the conservator of any other condition placed by the court on the conservator's discharge.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
12.  Distribution.
On the death of an individual subject to conservatorship or other event terminating or partially terminating the conservatorship, the conservator shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the conservatorship estate to the individual or other persons entitled to it. The conservator may take reasonable measures necessary to preserve the conservatorship estate until distribution can be effected.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. A, §82 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 4, §5 (AMD).