IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF RIGHTS OF RESPONDENT You have been named as a respondent in a guardianship petition asking that you be declared a disabled person. If the court grants the petition, a guardian will be appointed for you. A copy of the guardianship petition is attached for your convenience. The date and time of the hearing are: __________________________________. The place where the hearing will occur is: DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 West State Street, Sycamore, Illinois. The Judge’s name and phone number is: _______________________________. If a guardian is appointed for you, the guardian may be given the right to make all important personal decisions for you, such as where you may live, what medical treatment you may receive, what places you may visit, and who may visit you. A guardian may also be given the right to control and manage your money and other property, including your home, if you own one. You may lose the right to make these decisions for yourself. You have the following legal rights: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) You have the right to be present at the court hearing. You have the right to be represented by a lawyer, either one that you retain, or one appointed by the Judge. You have the right to ask for a jury of six persons to hear your case. You have the right to present evidence to the court and to confront and crossexamine witnesses. You have the right to ask the Judge to appoint an independent expert to examine you and give an opinion about your need for a guardian. You have the right to ask that the court hearing be closed to the public. You have the right to tell the court whom you prefer to have for your guardian. You do not have to attend the court hearing if you do not want to be there. If you do not attend, the Judge may appoint a guardian if the Judge finds that a guardian would be of benefit to you. The hearing will not be postponed or canceled if you do not attend. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND THE HEARING IF YOU DO NOT WANT A GUARDIAN OR IF YOU WANT SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE PERSON NAMED IN THE GUARDIANSHIP PETITION TO BE YOUR GUARDIAN. IF YOU DO NOT WANT A GUARDIAN OR IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR COME TO COURT AND TELL THE JUDGE. probate43 4/3/06 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com