Who must be personally served in a pending guardianship case?

In a pending guardianship case, it is essential to ensure that all interested parties, particularly those who may be affected by the guardianship, are personally served to maintain fairness and transparency in the legal process. The proposed ward, as the individual who may be subjected to guardianship, needs to be informed of the proceedings and given an opportunity to respond.

Additionally, the ward's spouse and parents are typically considered interested parties as they have a direct relationship and vested interest in the guardianship decision that might impact the proposed ward's well-being. Therefore, serving these individuals guarantees that all relevant opinions are heard, thus fostering a comprehensive view of the proposed guardianship.

This practice underscores the legal principle of ensuring due process, where all involved parties have the right to be notified and participate in proceedings that affect their rights and responsibilities. In contrast, serving only the proposed ward or any single interested party would not adequately address the interests of others who are closely connected. The role of a court-appointed lawyer, while crucial in representing the best interests of the proposed ward, is not one that necessitates personal service in the same way as the family members or the proposed ward themselves.