{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-estates-and-trusts-13.5-204","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 13.5–204","heading":"","body":"(a) 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.\n(b) (1) 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.\n(2) 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.\n(c) In determining whether the court is an appropriate forum, a court shall consider all relevant factors, including:\n(1) An expressed preference of the respondent;\n(2) 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;\n(3) The length of time the respondent was physically located in or was a legal resident of this State or another state;\n(4) The distance of the respondent from the court in each state;\n(5) The financial circumstances of the estate of the respondent;\n(6) The nature and location of the evidence;\n(7) The ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence;\n(8) The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding; and\n(9) If an appointment were made, the ability of the court to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.","path":["Article - Estates and Trusts"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=get\u0026section=13.5-204","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:07Z","sha256":"22bdb375ae349f83d02a7c51b6fa937c4a7d8c51ffee7e0b6a804e2154667af4","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-estates-and-trusts-13.5-203","next":"us-md/md.-code-estates-and-trusts-13.5-205"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}