Montana Title 72. Estates, Trusts, and Fiduciary Relationships § 72-5-317. Temporary guardians

(1) If an incapacitated person has no guardian and an emergency exists, the court may exercise the power of a guardian pending notice and hearing.

(2) If an appointed guardian is not effectively performing the guardian's duties or if there is no appointed guardian and the court further finds that the welfare of the incapacitated person requires immediate action, it may, with or without notice, appoint a temporary guardian for the incapacitated person for a specified period not to exceed 6 months. The court may appoint either a full or a limited temporary guardian depending on the needs and circumstances of the incapacitated person. The court may not invest a temporary guardian with more powers than are required by the circumstances necessitating the appointment. The order of appointment of a temporary guardian must state whether a full or limited temporary guardianship is being created and, in the case of a limited temporary guardian, the specific powers and duties of the limited temporary guardian.

(3) If there is no person available and willing to act as temporary guardian for an incapacitated person who is in need of a temporary guardian except a person or entity who is ineligible to act as guardian pursuant to the provisions of 72-5-312(4), the court may appoint as temporary guardian a person or entity who would otherwise be ineligible under that provision to act as guardian. This subsection does not permit the appointment of a person or entity who has an actual conflict of interest in regard to the purpose for which the temporary guardianship is sought. A temporary guardian who is otherwise ineligible shall serve until a person or entity who is not ineligible to serve as guardian and who is otherwise qualified to be guardian is appointed by the court to act as temporary guardian, but the temporary guardian may not serve for longer than 6 months.

(4) A temporary full guardian is entitled to the care and custody of the ward, and the authority of any permanent guardian previously appointed by the court is suspended as long as a temporary guardian has authority. A temporary limited guardian is entitled to exercise powers that are specifically granted to the temporary guardian in the order of appointment, and the power of any permanent guardian previously appointed by the court to exercise those powers is suspended so long as the temporary limited guardian has authority. The court by specific order may suspend all authority of the permanent guardian upon appointment of a temporary limited guardian. A temporary guardian may be removed at any time. A temporary guardian shall make any report the court requires. In other respects, the provisions of this code concerning guardians apply to temporary guardians.