Rule 311 Response to Petition for Appointment of a Guardian or Conservator or

for a Protective Order

(a) WHEN REQUIRED.

(1) In General. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, counsel for the subject of a proceeding must file and serve a response:

(A) within 21 days after the petition and notice were served on the subject of the proceeding; or

(B) if a guardian ad litem has been requested and appointed after the initial order appointing counsel, no less than 7 days before the initial hearing.

(2) Content. The response may include:

(A) any admissions or denials of allegations in the petition;

(B) a statement of position and any prayers for relief;

(C) any request to excuse the subject of the proceeding from being present at the hearing and the reasons why the subject’s presence should be excused;

(D) a statement as to whether the subject of the proceeding wishes the hearing to be closed;

(E) any request for the appointment of additional examiners or visitors to evaluate the condition of the subject of the proceedings, and the reasons for the request;

(F) any request for the appointment of a guardian ad litem for the subject or for any other person, the reasons for the request, and the proposed specific duties of the guardian ad litem;

(G) any current comprehensive evaluation or habilitation plan; current social, psychological, medical, or other evaluation used for diagnostic purposes in the development of a current plan of treatment; or current plan of treatment for the subject; and

(H) a statement indicating whether the proceeding may be resolved at the initial hearing and the issues that must be determined by the court at the initial hearing to effect that resolution or what issues remain to be determined and the best means for determining them.

(b) WHEN PERMITTED. Any other party or person entitled to participate may file and serve a response that includes the information in Rule 311(a)(2)(A)-(H).