Printable Format59-30,134. Standby guardian for minor. (a) A standby guardian appointed under this section may act as guardian, with all duties and powers of a guardian under K.S.A. 59-30,136 and 59-30,137, and amendments thereto, when no parent of the minor is willing or able to exercise the duties and powers granted to the guardian.
(b) A parent of a minor, in a signed record, may nominate a person to be appointed by the court as standby guardian for the minor. The parent, in a signed record, may revoke or amend the nomination at any time before the court appoints a standby guardian.
(c) The court may appoint a standby guardian for a minor on:
(1) Petition by a parent of the minor or a person nominated under subsection (b); and
(2) finding that no parent of the minor likely will be able or willing to care for or make decisions with respect to the minor not later than two years after the appointment.
(d) A petition under subsection (c)(1) must include the same information required under K.S.A. 59-30,129, and amendments thereto, for the appointment of a guardian for a minor.
(e) On filing a petition under subsection (c)(1), the petitioner shall:
(1) Serve a copy of the petition personally on:
(A) The minor, if the minor is 12 years of age or older, and the minor's attorney, if any;
(B) each parent of the minor;
(C) the person nominated as the standby guardian; and
(D) any other person the court determines; and
(2) include with the copy of the petition served under paragraph (1) a statement of the right to request appointment of an attorney for the minor or to object to appointment of the standby guardian, and a description of the nature, purpose and consequences of appointment of a standby guardian.
(f) A person entitled to notice under subsection (e), not later than 30 days after service of the petition and statement, may object to appointment of the standby guardian by filing an objection with the court and giving notice of the objection to each other person entitled to notice under subsection (e).
(g) If an objection is filed under subsection (f), the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether a standby guardian should be appointed and, if so, the person that should be appointed. If no objection is filed, the court may make the appointment.
(h) The court may not grant a petition for a standby guardian of the minor if notice substantially complying with subsection (e) is not served on:
(1) The minor, if the minor is 12 years of age or older; and
(2) each parent of the minor, unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent, in a record, waived the right to notice or cannot be located and served with due diligence.
(i) If a petitioner is unable to serve notice under subsection (e) on a parent of the minor or alleges that a parent of the minor waived the right to notice under this section, the court may appoint a court liaison who shall:
(1) Interview the petitioner and the minor;
(2) if the petitioner alleges the parent cannot be located and served, ascertain whether the parent cannot be located with due diligence; and
(3) investigate any other matter relating to the petition the court directs.
(j) If the court finds under subsection (c) that a standby guardian should be appointed, the following rules apply:
(1) The court shall appoint the person nominated under subsection (b) unless the court finds that the appointment is contrary to the best interest of the minor.
(2) If the parents have nominated different persons to serve as standby guardian, the court shall appoint the nominee whose appointment is in the best interest of the minor, unless the court finds that appointment of none of the nominees is in the best interest of the minor.
(k) An order appointing a standby guardian under this section must state that each parent of the minor is entitled to notice, and identify any other person entitled to notice, if:
(1) The standby guardian assumes the duties and powers of the guardian;
(2) the standby guardian changes the residence or school of the minor;
(3) the court modifies or limits the powers of the standby guardian; or
(4) the court removes the standby guardian.
(l) Before assuming the duties and powers of a guardian, a standby guardian must file with the court an acceptance of appointment as guardian and give notice of the acceptance to:
(1) Each parent of the minor, unless the parent, in a record, waived the right to notice or cannot be located and served with due diligence;
(2) the minor, if the minor is 12 years of age or older; and
(3) any person, other than the parent, having care or custody of the minor.
(m) A person that receives notice under subsection (k) or any other person interested in the welfare of the minor may file with the court an objection to the standby guardian's assumption of duties and powers of a guardian. The court shall hold a hearing if the objection supports a reasonable belief that the conditions for assumption of duties and powers have not been satisfied.
History: L. 2025, ch. 40, ยง 57; January 1, 2026.