(A) As soon as the interests of justice may allow, but after the time for filing a response to the petition has elapsed as to all parties, the court shall hold a hearing on the merits of the petition. The alleged incapacitated individual, all parties, and any person who has filed a demand for notice, shall be given notice of the hearing. The alleged incapacitated individual is entitled to be present at the hearing, to conduct discovery, and to review all evidence bearing upon his condition. The hearing may be closed at the request of the alleged incapacitated individual or his guardian ad litem. The alleged incapacitated individual may waive notice of a hearing and his presence at the hearing. If there is an agreement among all the parties and the guardian ad litem's report indicates that a hearing would not further the interests of justice, the alleged incapacitated individual may waive his right to a hearing. If the alleged incapacitated individual waives his right to a hearing, the court may:

(1) require a formal hearing;

(2) require an informal proceeding as the court shall direct; or

(3) proceed without a hearing.

(B) If no formal hearing is held, the court shall issue a temporary consent order, which shall expire in thirty days. A ward, under a temporary order, may request a formal hearing at any time during the thirty-day period. At the end of the thirty-day period, if the ward has not requested a formal hearing, the court shall issue an order upon such terms agreed to by the parties and the guardian ad litem.

HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 539, Section 1; 1990 Act No. 483, Section 2; 2010 Act No. 244, Sections 25, 28, eff June 7, 2010. Formerly Code Sections 62-5-303 and 62-5-309, renumbered and amended by 2017 Act No. 87 (S.415), Section 5.A, eff January 1, 2019.