House Bill 1136 Summary

• Revises Mississippi guardianship and conservatorship law by clarifying definitions, notice requirements, and procedures for appointment of guardians and conservators for both minors and adults.

• Authorizes courts to dispense with requiring legal representation for guardians and conservators if retaining an attorney would impose undue burden on the ward's estate.

• Allows guardianship and conservatorship proceedings for the same individual to be combined in a single proceeding and combined letters of appointment when the same person serves as both guardian and conservator.

• Clarifies that courts may assess attorney's fees and costs against petitioners who file guardianship or conservatorship petitions in bad faith.

• Repeals Sections 93-14-401, 93-14-402, and 93-14-403 regarding registration and recognition of foreign guardianship and conservatorship orders as duplicative.