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<section article="get" article_name="Estates and Trusts" number="13.5-204" title_number="13.5" title_name="Maryland Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jurisdiction">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A court of this State having jurisdiction under § 13.5–201 of this subtitle to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order may decline to exercise jurisdiction if the court determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>If a court of this State declines jurisdiction over a guardianship proceeding or protective proceeding under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall either dismiss the proceeding or stay the proceeding.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A court under paragraph (1) of this subsection may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a guardian or protective order be promptly filed in another state.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>In determining whether the court is an appropriate forum, a court shall consider all relevant factors, including:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>An expressed preference of the respondent;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the respondent has occurred or is likely to occur and which state could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect, or exploitation;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The length of time the respondent was physically located in or was a legal resident of this State or another state;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The distance of the respondent from the court in each state;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>The financial circumstances of the estate of the respondent;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>The nature and location of the evidence;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>The ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>If an appointment were made, the ability of the court to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
