Title 16 — Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]

The Council of the District of Columbia finds that: (1) Existing custody law does not provide adequately for the needs of a parent who is terminally ill, or who is periodically incapable of caring for the needs of a child due to the parent’s incapacity or debilitation resulting f…

For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Alternate standby guardian” means a person with all the rights, responsibilities, and qualifications of a standby guardian who acts as the standby guardian if the current or originally designated standby guardian repudiates the des…

(a) A designator may designate a standby guardian at any time. (b) The designation of a standby guardian shall be in writing and shall contain the following information: (1) The full name, address, birth date, and gender of the child affected; (2) The full name, address, and tele…

(a) Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the standby guardian shall have authority to act and shall assume the rights, powers, duties, and obligations existing under law between a legal custodian and a child. The designator shall retain concurrent authority over the child a…

(a) A petition for court approval of a designation under this chapter may be made at any time by filing with the Court the petition and a copy of the designation. (1) If the triggering event has not occurred at or before the time of filing, only the designator may file the petiti…

(a) The Court shall enter an order approving the designation of the standby guardian if the Court determines that the appointment of the standby guardian is in the best interest of the child. Unless required to hold a hearing pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the Court …

(a) If the petition filed by the designator pursuant to § 16-4805 is approved by the Court before the occurrence of the triggering event, the standby guardian’s authority will commence automatically upon the occurrence of the triggering event. No further petition or confirmation …

(a) The petitioner shall notify any person named in the designation within 10 days of the filing of the petition of any hearing on that petition. Notice shall be attempted on all other persons who are entitled to notice under §§ 16-4501 through 16-4524 [repealed]. (b) Notice shal…

(a) An individual entitled to notice under §§ 16-4501 through 16-4524 (the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act) [repealed] may challenge a standby guardianship designation order by initiating a child custody proceeding in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or in an…

(a) The authority of a standby guardian approved by the Court pursuant to § 16-4805 may be revoked by the designator filing a notice of revocation with the Court. (1) The notice of revocation shall identify the standby guardian or alternate standby guardian to whom the revocation…