§ 30-3-104. Priorities for selection by court of guardian or limited guardian - Appointment of organization - Determination of suitability - Appointment of public agency.

A.  The following priorities shall guide the selection by the court of a guardian or limited guardian of an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person from among those eligible:

1.  The individual or individuals nominated by the subject of the proceeding pursuant to Section 3-102 of this title;

2.  The current guardian or limited guardian appointed or recognized by the appropriate court of any other jurisdiction in which the incapacitated or partially incapacitated person resides;

3.  An individual nominated by the will or by other writing of a deceased parent, spouse, or an adult child who was serving as the guardian or limited guardian of the subject of the proceeding;

4.  The spouse of the subject of the proceeding;

5.  An adult child of the subject of the proceeding;

6.  A parent of the subject of the proceeding;

7.  A sibling of the subject of the proceeding; or

8.  Any individual approved by the court with whom the subject of the proceeding has been living for more than six (6) months prior to the filing of the petition.  Provided that any owner, operator, administrator or employee of a facility subject to the provisions of the Nursing Home Care Act, the Residential Home Care Act or the Group Homes for the Developmentally Disabled or Physically Handicapped Persons Act shall not be appointed guardian or limited guardian of a resident of such facility unless said owner, operator, administrator or employee is the spouse of said resident, or a relative of said resident within the second degree of consanguinity and is otherwise eligible for appointment.

B.  When the guardian or limited guardian of an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person is the guardian of property only, the court may appoint an organization which is eligible to manage the financial resources of an individual and has fiduciary powers, or its successor in interest, when:

1.  Such organization is nominated by the subject of the proceeding pursuant to Section 3-102 of this title; or

2.  Such organization is nominated by a person eligible to make such nomination pursuant to Section 3-103 of this title; or

3.  The appointment of such organization is in the best interest of the subject of the proceeding.

C.  The court shall make reasonable inquiry to determine whether the person or organization proposed to serve as the guardian or limited guardian of an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person is suitable and will exercise the powers and carry out the duties and responsibilities of guardian or limited guardian in the best interest of the ward.  The court shall also inquire of the proposed guardian of the person of the ward as to how the guardian proposes to provide for the care of the ward, and of the proposed guardian of the estate of the ward as to how the guardian proposes to manage the property of the ward and to provide for the ward's financial care.  The court shall make such orders with respect thereto as the court deems to be for the best interest of the ward.

D.  A public agency shall not be appointed to serve as guardian for an adult except as provided in Section 1415 of Title 10 and Section 10-108 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 329, § 41, eff. Dec. 1, 1988.  Amended by Laws 1990, c. 323, § 28, operative July 1, 1990.