Free Findings and Recommendations of Circuit Court - West Virginia

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF _______________ COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
For Clerk's Use Only IN RE: ______________________________________________, AN ALLEGED PROTECTED PERSON DATE FILED: _____________________________________ CASE NUMBER ___________ - G - __________

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF CIRCUIT COURT
[West Virginia Code: § 44A-2-9 AND 10.]

On this ______ day of _____________________________, 20______, came the Petitioner in the above styled cause for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of West Virginia Code: § 44A-2-9, it appearing to the undersigned, and the undersigned hereby finds, that due and proper notice of these proceedings has been given as required by West Virginia Code: § 44A-2-6 and that this matter has matured for hearing on the Petition hereinbefore filed. The following parties to this action appeared at the hearing as follows: [Initial all appropriate appearances, as indicated, and record names of parties appearing, where applicable.] __________ The alleged Protected Person named above appeared in person and was, by the undersigned, verbally informed of the rights, of the contents of the petition, and of the purpose and legal effect of the appointment of a conservator or guardian, as such matters are set forth in, and required by, West Virginia Code: § 44A-2-9(c). The alleged Protected Person DID NOT appear. [If this item is initialed, at least one of the following MUST apply. Initial applicable finding.] __________ __________ An affidavit of a physician [Form 902A] was presented to the Court and appears in the case file. The Court heard qualified expert testimony and hereby finds that the presence of the alleged Protected Person is not possible due either to a physical inability or because the presence of the alleged Protected Person would significantly impair the alleged Protected Person's health. The Court heard evidence, and hereby finds based on such evidence, that the alleged Protected Person refused to appear.

__________

__________

__________ __________ __________

Appointed counsel for the alleged Protected Person: ____________________________________________________. The Petitioner: _________________________________________________________________________________. Counsel for the Petitioner:________________________________________________________________________.

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(APPEARANCES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

__________

Parties who appeared: [List the names of all parties who appeared at the hearing. If an entity appeared by a representative, list the name of the entity and the name of the person representing that entity.] _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

__________

Proposed Guardian and/or Conservator: _____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ [West Virginia Code: § 44A-2-9(b) requires the proposed guardian and/or conservator to attend the hearing, except for good cause shown. If no appearances are entered here, state the good cause shown to excuse such attendance.] _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

__________

Other appearances: [List here any other appearances where permission to observe or participate was granted, upon application, under § 44A-2-9(b).] _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Upon consideration of the Evaluation Report of _______________________________________________, a licensed physician/psychologist, and upon consideration of the sworn testimony of the following witnesses: [Insert name(s) of witnesses testifying at the hearing] _________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ the undersigned mental hygiene commissioner, based upon clear and convincing evidence, hereby makes the following findings and/or recommendations:

1.

The individual alleged to be a protected person is an adult individual who [Initial applicable finding(s)]: __________ __________ is a resident of _____________________ County, West Virginia has been admitted to a health care or correctional facility in _________________ County, West Virginia.

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2.

The individual alleged to be a protected person [Initial one of the following]: __________ __________ is a "protected person" and meets the definition is NOT a "protected person" and does NOT meet the definition

of a "protected person" as the same is defined under West Virginia Code: § 44A--1-4. In making the foregoing determination, the following factors were considered [After each of the five factors listed below, describe the applicability of each to the determination. Attach additional pages as necessary.]:

(a)

The suitability of the proposed guardian and/or conservator: ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(b)

The limitations of the alleged protected person: _________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(c)

The development of the alleged protected person's maximum self-reliance and independence: ___________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(d)

The availability of less restrictive alternatives, including advance directives:__________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(e)

The extent to which it is necessary to protect the alleged protected person from neglect, exploitation or abuse: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

3.

Based upon the foregoing, the undersigned finds that a [Initial appropriate office(s)]

__________ LIMITED GUARDIAN __________ GUARDIAN

__________ LIMITED CONSERVATOR __________ CONSERVATOR

is necessary for the protection of the protected person. [If none of the offices above is necessary for the protection of the individual, initial the following.]

__________ A guardian and/or conservator, of any nature, is NOT necessary for the protection of the individual.

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[If the appointment of a guardian and/or conservator, of any type, is necessary, complete Numbers 4 - 8 below. Otherwise leave blank.]

4.

The undersigned hereby finds that the following named individuals and/or entities is/are the best qualified to act in the best interests of the protected person: [Name]_________________________________________ as either [check] _____ limited conservator or _____ conservator.

[Name]_________________________________________ as either [check] _____ limited guardian or _____ guardian. In making the foregoing recommendation, the following factors were considered: After each of the factors listed below, describe the applicability of each to the recommendation. Attach additional pages as necessary.]

(a)

The proposed guardian's and/or conservator's geographic location: _________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(b)

The familial or other relationship with the protected person: ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(c)

The ability to carry out the powers and duties of the office(s): ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(d)

The commitment to promoting the protected person's welfare: ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(e)

Any potential conflicts of interest: __________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(f)

The recommendations of the spouse, parents, children or other interested relatives, whether made by will or otherwise: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

(g)

The individual(s) education, ability and background enabling the individual(s) to serve as conservator and or guardian: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________

(h)

If any recommended conservator and/or guardian has been convicted of a crime, the undersigned commissioner makes the following finding with respect to such person's fitness to be appointed: __________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

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5.

The Court further makes the following findings of fact and/or conclusions of law: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________.

These findings and recommendations are made this ______ day of ________________________, 20 ________, with __________ pages [insert number of additional pages attached, if any] attached hereto and made a part hereof. _____________________________________ JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

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