18-C M.R.S. § 5-104
This is the official text of 18-C M.R.S. § 5-104, part of Maine’s M.R.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Maine, published by the state as "M.R.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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18-C §5-104. Subject matter jurisdiction
Official statutory text
1. Jurisdiction; minors. Except to the extent that jurisdiction is precluded by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act and Title 4, section 152, subsection 5‑A , the court has jurisdiction over a guardianship for a minor domiciled or present in this State. The court has jurisdiction over a conservatorship or protective arrangement instead of conservatorship for a minor domiciled in or having property located in this State. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
1-A. At-risk noncitizen children; motions. The court has jurisdiction over a motion regarding the protection, well-being, care and custody of an unmarried noncitizen pursuant to Title 22, chapter 1071, subchapter 17 who has not attained 18 years of age. [PL 2025, c. 347, §2 (AMD).]
2. Jurisdiction; adults. The court has jurisdiction over a guardianship, a conservatorship and an order for a protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship for an adult as provided in the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act, Part 6 . [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3. Exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction. After service of notice in a proceeding seeking a guardianship, conservatorship or protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship and until termination of the proceeding, the court in which the petition is filed has: A. Exclusive jurisdiction to determine the need for a guardianship, conservatorship or protective arrangement; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. Exclusive jurisdiction to determine how property of the respondent that is subject to the law of this State must be managed, expended or distributed to or for the use of the respondent, an individual who is dependent in fact on the respondent or other claimant; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. Concurrent jurisdiction to determine the validity of a claim against the respondent or property of the respondent or a question of title concerning the property; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] D. If a guardian or conservator is appointed, exclusive jurisdiction over issues related to administration of the guardianship or conservatorship. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4. Exclusive and continuing jurisdiction. A court that appoints a guardian or conservator, or authorizes a protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship, has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over the proceeding until the court terminates the proceeding or the appointment or protective arrangement expires by its terms. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
1-A. At-risk noncitizen children; motions. The court has jurisdiction over a motion regarding the protection, well-being, care and custody of an unmarried noncitizen pursuant to Title 22, chapter 1071, subchapter 17 who has not attained 18 years of age. [PL 2025, c. 347, §2 (AMD).]
2. Jurisdiction; adults. The court has jurisdiction over a guardianship, a conservatorship and an order for a protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship for an adult as provided in the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act, Part 6 . [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3. Exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction. After service of notice in a proceeding seeking a guardianship, conservatorship or protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship and until termination of the proceeding, the court in which the petition is filed has: A. Exclusive jurisdiction to determine the need for a guardianship, conservatorship or protective arrangement; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. Exclusive jurisdiction to determine how property of the respondent that is subject to the law of this State must be managed, expended or distributed to or for the use of the respondent, an individual who is dependent in fact on the respondent or other claimant; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. Concurrent jurisdiction to determine the validity of a claim against the respondent or property of the respondent or a question of title concerning the property; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] D. If a guardian or conservator is appointed, exclusive jurisdiction over issues related to administration of the guardianship or conservatorship. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4. Exclusive and continuing jurisdiction. A court that appoints a guardian or conservator, or authorizes a protective arrangement instead of guardianship or conservatorship, has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over the proceeding until the court terminates the proceeding or the appointment or protective arrangement expires by its terms. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
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