§ 10A-1-4-710. Motion for permanent guardianship – Notice – Home assessment – Findings – Visitation – Guardianship review.

A.  The district attorney or child’s attorney shall file a motion for permanent guardianship with the juvenile court in the deprived case.  The motion shall be verified by the prospective guardian and shall include the following:

1.  The name, gender, and date of birth of the child;

2.  The facts and circumstances supporting the grounds for permanent guardianship;

3.  The name and address of the prospective guardian and a statement that the prospective guardian agrees to accept the duties and responsibilities of guardianship;

4.  The relationship of the child to the prospective guardian;

5.  That the prospective guardian understands that the guardianship is intended to be permanent in nature and that the person will be responsible as the guardian until the child reaches the age of majority;

6.  Whether the child has resided with the prospective guardian prior to the motion being filed, and, if so, the length of time and the circumstances surrounding the child’s stay; and

7.  Whether there exists a loving, emotional tie between the child and the prospective guardian.

B.  Notice of the hearing as well as a copy of the motion shall be served upon the parties, the Department of Human Services, and the guardian ad litem of the child, if any.  Notice shall also be sent to the tribe of an Indian child as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act.  Service shall not be required on the parent whose rights have been previously terminated.

C.  1.  When the child is in the custody of the Department, the Department shall cause an assessment of the proposed guardian’s home to be completed and provide a report to the court regarding the suitability of the proposed guardian and whether guardianship is in the best interest of the child.  The Department shall promulgate rules in furtherance of the duties imposed by this subsection.  However, the prospective guardian shall be responsible to obtain the home assessment if the child is not in the custody of the Department.

2.  The findings of the home assessment shall be set forth in a written report provided to the court, the district attorney, the child, and the guardian ad litem, if any, before the hearing.  The court may require additional information as necessary to make an appropriate decision regarding the permanent guardianship.

D.  1.  Before issuing an order of permanent guardianship, the court shall find by clear and convincing evidence all of the following:

a.the factual basis for establishing parental unfitness or unavailability to provide adequate care for the child,

b.termination of the rights of the parent is either not legally possible or not in the best interests of the child, or adoption is not the permanency plan for the child,

c.the child has resided with the permanent guardian for at least six (6) months, or the permanent guardian is a relative with whom the child has a relationship,

d.a permanent guardianship is in the best interests of the child, and

e.the proposed permanent guardian:

(1)is emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially suitable to become the permanent guardian,

(2)has expressly committed to remain the permanent guardian for the duration of the child’s minority, and

(3)has expressly demonstrated a clear understanding of the financial implications of becoming a permanent guardian.

2.  A decree of permanent guardianship divests the parents of legal custody or guardianship of the child, but is not a termination of parental rights.

E.  Upon finding that grounds exist for a permanent guardianship, the court may also order visitation with the parent, siblings, or other relatives of the child if such contact would be in the child’s best interests as well as any other provision necessary to provide for the child’s continuing safety and well-being.  The court shall order the parents to contribute to the support of the child pursuant to child-support guidelines as provided for in Sections 118 and 119 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

F.  1.  An order appointing a permanent guardian shall:

a.require that the placement be reviewed within one (1) year after transfer, and may require the permanent guardian to submit any records or reports the court deems necessary for purposes of such review,

b.not require the Department to supervise the placement during such period of time,

c.not require periodic reviews by the court thereafter if the parties agree with the assent of the court that the reviews are not necessary to serve the best interests of the child, unless periodic reviews are otherwise required by the court.

2.  Unless periodic reviews are required, the court may close the case, provided the order of permanent guardianship shall remain in full force and effect subject to the provisions of this Code.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 124, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.