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CNMI Judiciary adopts new Rules of Guardianship Procedure
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Posted on Mar 29 2023
The NMI Supreme Court formally adopted last Monday, March 28, 2023, the Northern Mariana Islands Rules of Guardianship Procedure. These rules are intended to clarify and streamline court proceedings to determine the appointment of guardians for minors and incompetent adults.
After being finalized by the Supreme Court Rules Committee, the Rules of Guardianship Procedure were submitted to the Legislature for approval. On March 9, the House of Representatives voted to approve the proposed rules, finding them to be “necessary for modernization and expedition purposes.” The Senate neither approved nor disapproved of the rules, and they became effective 60 days after submission according to the NMI Constitution.
According to House Committee findings and public comments from judiciary representatives, the Rules of Guardianship Procedure were based heavily on existing provisions in the Rules of Probate Procedure. The Rules Committee found it necessary to extract these rules and place them in a standalone set. Additional changes will promote expediency and modernization of guardianship proceedings.
A copy of the NMI Rules of Guardianship Procedure can be accessed at https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/courtrules/R37.pdf. (PR)
