Section 38-9F-6 - Sworn petition for relief on behalf of elderly person(a)(1) If a plaintiff lacks the physical or mental capacity to seek protection for himself or herself, the following may file a sworn petition for relief on behalf of the plaintiff:a. A court appointed guardian. The petition must include a copy of the court order appointing the petitioner as the plaintiff's guardian.b. A court appointed conservator. The petition must include a copy of the court order appointing the petitioner as the plaintiff's conservator.c. A temporary guardian appointed pursuant to Section 26-2A-107. The petition must include a copy of the court order appointing the petitioner as the plaintiff's temporary guardian.d. An agent, co-agent, or successor agent appointed under the plaintiff's validly executed power of attorney who acts within the authority of the power of attorney. The petition shall include a copy of the power of attorney.e. A health care proxy appointed under the plaintiff's validly executed advance directive for health care, or similar document, who acts within the authority of the designation. The petition shall include a copy of the advance directive for health care or similar document.f. An interested person who has the authority to petition for protective placement or other protective services under Section 38-9-6.(2) A plaintiff possessing the physical or mental capacity to seek protection for himself or herself may either represent himself or herself or may choose to hire legal counsel for representation in all matters arising pursuant to this chapter.(b) A sworn petition shall allege the incidents of abuse and the specific facts and circumstances that form the basis upon which relief is sought.(c) Standardized petitions for actions pursuant to this chapter shall be made available through the circuit court clerk's offices throughout the state. A circuit court clerk and his or her staff shall not provide assistance to individuals in completing the forms or in presenting the petitioner's case to the court.(d) The elderly person for whom the petition is filed must be served with the petition pursuant to the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.(e)(1) The following information shall be redacted from any court document filed on or after June 1, 2021, by the filer: a. The plaintiff's home address and, if applicable, business address.b. The plaintiff's home phone number, cellular number, and business phone number.c. Any home address, business address, home telephone number, cellular number, or business phone number of any member of the plaintiff's family or household.d. Any address that would reveal the confidential location of a shelter for victims of domestic violence as defined in Section 30-6-1.(2) If disclosure of an address otherwise required to be redacted pursuant to this subsection is necessary to determine jurisdiction or to consider an issue of venue, the disclosure shall only be made orally, in the private chambers of the judge assigned to the case, with no members of the public present.(3) In the event the plaintiff or his or her representative does not disclose an address or telephone number for the plaintiff to the court, disclosure of either of the following shall be made to the court:a. An alternative address.b. The business address and business telephone number of the plaintiff's attorney of record.(f) The court may not assess court costs or other fees for the filing or service of a petition or the issuance of a witness subpoena under this chapter against a petitioner or plaintiff. Costs and fees may be assessed against the defendant at the discretion of the court.Ala. Code § 38-9F-6 (1975)
Amended by Act 2021-77,§ 1, eff. 6/1/2021.Added by Act 2017-284,§ 6, eff. 8/1/2017.