A petition for the appointment of a guardian may be filed by any relative or friend of the ward or by any person who is authorized to file such a petition. If there is no authorized person or if the authorized person fails to file such a petition within thirty days after mailing of notice by the veterans' administration to the last known address of the person indicating the necessity for such petition, a petition for appointment may be filed by any resident of this state.

The petition for appointment shall set forth:

(A) The name, age, and place of residence of the ward;

(B) The name and place of residence of the nearest relative, if known;

(C) The fact that the ward is entitled to receive benefits payable by or through the veterans' administration;

(D) The amount of money then due and the amount of probable future payments;

(E) The name and address of the person or institution having actual custody of the ward;

(F) The name, age, relationship, occupation, and address of the proposed guardian;

(G) The number of wards for whom the nominee is presently acting as guardian, if the nominee is a natural person.

Notwithstanding any law as to priority of persons entitled to appointment, or the nomination in the petition, the court may appoint some other individual or a bank or trust company as guardian, if the court determines it is for the best interest of the ward.

In the case of a mentally incompetent ward the petition shall show that such ward has been rated incompetent by the veterans' administration on examination in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the veterans' administration.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953 .