59-3071. Referral for trial. (a) At any time after the filing of the petition provided for in K.S.A. 59-3058, 59-3059, 59-3060 or 59-3061, and amendments thereto, but prior to the trial thereon, the court, upon the written request of the proposed ward or proposed conservatee, or upon the court's own motion, may issue an order of referral for trial to the district court of:

(1) The county of residence of the proposed ward or proposed conservatee;

(2) the county wherein the proposed ward or proposed conservatee may be found; or

(3) any other county, if the referral has been requested by the proposed ward or proposed conservatee and the court finds that the proposed ward or proposed conservatee cannot obtain a fair trial otherwise.

(b) If the petition filed pursuant to K.S.A. 59-3058, 59-3059, 59-3060 or 59-3061, and amendments thereto, is filed in a county in which the proposed ward or proposed conservatee is found because the proposed ward or proposed conservatee is confined to a psychiatric hospital, the court may not issue an order of referral for trial pursuant to this section unless the proposed ward or proposed conservatee has requested or consented to this referral.

(c) When any order of referral for trial has been issued pursuant to this section, the court shall transmit to the district court to which the referral has been made a certified copy of all pleadings and orders in the case.

(d) Upon receipt of an order of referral for trial and certified copies of the pleadings and orders in the case, the district court to which a referral has been made shall cause notice of the referral for trial to be given to all persons entitled to notice pursuant to K.S.A. 59-3066, and amendments thereto, and shall thereafter proceed in the case as if the petition had been originally filed therein, except that if the original court having venue has previously set the matter for trial pursuant to K.S.A. 59-3063, and amendments thereto, but the court to which the order of referral for trial has been made cannot conduct the trial at that time because notice of a change of location of the trial cannot be served on any interested party at least 48 hours prior to the trial, or because of scheduling conflicts, then the court to which the matter has been transferred for trial may set a new date and time for the trial at a time not to exceed 21 days from the issuance of the order of referral for trial, and shall cause notice thereof to be given as provided for in K.S.A. 59-3066, and amendments thereto.

(e) At the conclusion of the trial held pursuant to K.S.A. 59-3067, and amendments thereto, the court to which the matter has been referred for trial shall determine the issues as provided for in subsection (d) of K.S.A. 59-3067, and amendments thereto, and may deny the request contained in the petition as the findings of the court require, but shall not appoint a guardian or a conservator even if the need for such has been shown. In such case, the court shall transmit the findings of the court following the trial, along with any statement of the costs incurred, and a certified copy of all pleadings filed and orders entered during the course of the referral and trial, to the original court having venue.

(f) Upon receipt of such findings, pleadings and orders, the original court having venue shall proceed as provided for under this act, and may appoint the guardian or conservator, or both.

History: L. 2002, ch. 114, § 22; July 1.