Section 29-4-88. Prerequisites to granting petition for receipt and acceptance of foreign guardianship; authority to pursue orderly transfer; effect of denial

   (a) The court may grant a petition for receipt and acceptance of a foreign guardianship provided the court finds that:

   (1) The guardian is presently in good standing with the foreign court; and

   (2) The transfer of the guardianship from the foreign jurisdiction is in the best interest of the ward.

(b) In granting the petition, the court shall give full faith and credit to the provisions of the foreign guardianship order concerning the determination of the ward's incapacity.

(c) Subject to subsection (d) of this Code section, at all times following the entry of the order accepting the guardianship the laws of the State of Georgia shall apply to the guardianship.

(d) In order to coordinate efforts with the foreign court to facilitate the orderly transfer of the guardianship, the court is authorized to:

   (1) Delay the effective date of the receipt and acceptance for a reasonable period of time;

   (2) Make the receipt and acceptance contingent upon the release of the guardianship or the termination of the guardianship and the discharge of the guardian in the foreign jurisdiction;

   (3) Recognize concurrent jurisdiction over the guardianship for a reasonable period of time to permit the foreign court to release the guardianship or to terminate the guardianship and discharge the guardian in the foreign jurisdiction; or

   (4) Make other arrangements the court deems necessary to effectuate the receipt and acceptance of the guardianship.

(e) The denial of a petition for receipt and acceptance of the foreign guardianship does not affect the right of a guardian appointed by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction to petition for guardianship under Code Section 29-4-11.

Code 1981, § 29-4-88, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.