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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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PROBATE CODE |
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Chapter XIII. GUARDIANSHIP |
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Part 3. APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATION OF GUARDIANS |
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Subpart A. APPOINTMENT |
Sec. 687. EXAMINATIONS AND REPORTS
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, the court may not grant an application to create a guardianship for an incapacitated person, other than a minor or person for whom it is necessary to have a guardian appointed only to receive funds from a governmental source, unless the applicant presents to the court a written letter or certificate from a physician licensed in this state that is dated not earlier than the 120th day before the date of the filing of the application and based on an examination the physician performed not earlier than the 120th day before the date of the filing of the application. The letter or certificate must:
(1) describe the nature, degree, and severity of incapacity, including functional deficits, if any, regarding the proposed ward's ability to:
(A) handle business and managerial matters;
(B) manage financial matters;
(C) operate a motor vehicle;
(D) make personal decisions regarding residence, voting, and marriage; and
(E) consent to medical, dental, psychological, or psychiatric treatment;
(2) provide an evaluation of the proposed ward's physical condition and mental function and summarize the proposed ward's medical history if reasonably available;
(3) state how or in what manner the proposed ward's ability to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning himself or herself is affected by the person's physical or mental health, including the proposed ward's ability to:
(A) understand or communicate;
(B) recognize familiar objects and individuals;
(C) perform simple calculations;
(D) reason logically; and
(E) administer to daily life activities;
(4) state whether any current medication affects the demeanor of the proposed ward or the proposed ward's ability to participate fully in a court proceeding;
(5) describe the precise physical and mental conditions underlying a diagnosis of a mental disability, and state whether the proposed ward would benefit from supports and services that would allow the individual to live in the least restrictive setting;
(6) in providing a description under Subdivision (1) of this subsection regarding the proposed ward's ability to operate a motor vehicle and make personal decisions regarding voting, state whether in the physician's opinion the proposed ward:
(A) has the mental capacity to vote in a public election; and
(B) has the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; and
(7) include any other information required by the court.
(b) If the court determines it is necessary, the court may appoint the necessary physicians to examine the proposed ward. The court must make its determination with respect to the necessity for a physician's examination of the proposed ward at a hearing held for that purpose. Not later than the fourth day before the date of the hearing, the applicant shall give to the proposed ward and the proposed ward's attorney ad litem written notice specifying the purpose and the date and time of the hearing. A physician who examines the proposed ward, other than a physician or psychologist who examines the proposed ward under Subsection (c)(2) of this section, shall make available to an attorney ad litem appointed to represent the proposed ward, for inspection, a written letter or certificate from the physician that complies with the requirements of Subsection (a) of this section.
(c) If the basis of the proposed ward's alleged incapacity is mental retardation, the court may not grant an application to create a guardianship for the proposed ward unless the applicant presents to the court a written letter or certificate that:
(1) complies with Subsection (a) of this section; or
(2) shows that:
(A) not earlier than 24 months before the date of the hearing, the proposed ward has been examined by a physician or psychologist licensed in this state or certified by the Department of Aging and Disability Services to perform the examination, in accordance with rules of the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission governing examinations of that kind; and
(B) the physician's or psychologist's written findings and recommendations to the court include a statement as to whether the physician or psychologist has made a determination of mental retardation in accordance with Section 593.005, Health and Safety Code.