Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/746

–650– -650CHAPTER 127—APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS FOR INCOMPETENT PERSONS Sec.

2921. Incompetent person defined. 2922. Petition for appointment of guardian of incompetent person; notice; attendance at hearing. 2923. Appointment of guardian after hearing; preferences. 2924. Public administrator as guardian of estates of incompetent persons. 2925. Restoration to capacity.

§ 2921. Incompetent person defined As used in this Part, "incompetent", "mentally incompetent", or "incapable" means that a person is, by reason of old age, mental illness or other disease, or from any other cause, unable, when unassisted, properly to manage and take care of himself or his property, and by reason thereof would be likely to be deceived or imposed upon by artful or designing persons. § 2922. Petition for appointment of guardian of incompetent person; notice; attendance at hearing (a) A relative or friend may file a verified petition in the district court alleging that a person is incompetent, and setting forth the names and residences, as far as they are known to the petitioner, of the relatives of the alleged incompetent person within the second degree residing within or without the Canal Zone. The clerk shall set the petition for hearing by the court and issue a citation directed to the alleged incompetent person setting forth the time and place of hearing so fixed by him. (b) If the alleged incompetent person is within the Canal Zone the citation and a copy of the petition shall be personally served on him in the same manner as provided by law for the service of a summons. If he is not within the Canal Zone the citation and a copy of the petition shall be delivered to him, personally. I n all cases service shall be made on the alleged incompetent person at least 10 days before the time of hearing unless the time is shortened by the court for good cause shown. (c) Notice of the nature of the proceedings and of the time and place of the hearing shall be mailed by the petitioner to each of the relatives of the alleged incompetent person named in the petition at least 15 days before the time of hearing unless the time is shortened by the court for good cause shown. The court may order that similar notice be given to other persons in such manner as the court may direct. A relative or friend of the alleged incompetent person may appear and oppose the petition. (d) If the alleged incompetent person is within the Canal Zone and is able to attend he shall be produced at the hearing, and if he is not able to attend by reason of physical inability or by reason that his presence in court would retard or impair his recovery or would increase his mental debility, the inability or harmful effect shall be evidenced by the affidavit of a licensed physician or surgeon, or other duly licensed medical practitioner, unless the alleged incompetent person is a patient at a hospital in the Canal Zone in which case the affidavit shall be by the medical superintendent or acting medical superintendent of the hospital. (e) If the alleged incompetent person is not within the Canal Zone and if the court determines that his attendance at the hearing is necessary in the interest of justice, the court may order him to be produced at the hearing upon penalty of dismissing the petition if he is not produced. I f such an order is made and it is contended that the alleged incompetent person is not able to attend by reason of physical inability or by reason that his presence in court would retard or im-

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