{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-21-2402.06","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 21-2402.06","heading":"Appropriate forum.","body":"(a)\nEven if the Superior Court has jurisdiction under § 21-2402.03 to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order, the court may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.\n\n(b)\nIf the Superior Court declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subsection (a) of this section, it shall either dismiss or stay the proceeding. The court may impose any condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order be filed promptly in another state.\n\n(c)\nIn determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the Superior Court shall consider all relevant factors, including:\n(1)\nAny expressed preference of the respondent;\n(2)\nWhether 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;\n(3)\nThe length of time the respondent was physically present in or was a legal resident of this or another state;\n(4)\nThe distance of the respondent from the court in each state;\n(5)\nThe financial circumstances of the respondent’s estate;\n(6)\nThe nature and location of the evidence;\n(7)\nThe ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence;\n(8)\nThe familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding; and\n(9)\nIf an appointment were made, the court’s ability to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.","path":["Title 21. Fiduciary Relations and Persons with Mental Illness. [Enacted title]","Chapter 24. Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction; Uniform Act.","Subchapter II. Jurisdiction."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/21-2402.06","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"64dcd6f322c927f35b6345889b5584f4184887625eb37d2f90b77c3e496d38a3","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-21-2402.05","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-21-2402.07"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}