§ 35B-21.  Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.

(a) If at any time a court of this State determines that it acquired jurisdiction to adjudicate incompetence, appoint a general guardian or guardian of the person, or issue a protective order because of unjustifiable conduct, the court may do any of the following:

(1) Decline to exercise jurisdiction.

(2) Exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of fashioning an appropriate remedy to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the respondent or the protection of the respondent's property or prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a petition for the appointment of a general guardian or guardian of the person or issuance of a protective order is filed in a court of another state having jurisdiction.

(3) Continue to exercise jurisdiction after considering all of the following:

a. The extent to which the respondent and all persons required to be notified of the proceedings have acquiesced in the exercise of the court's jurisdiction.

b. Whether it is a more appropriate forum than the court of any other state under the factors set forth in G.S. 35B-20(c).

c. Whether the court of any other state would have jurisdiction under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of G.S. 35B-17.

(b) If a court of this State determines that it acquired jurisdiction to adjudicate incompetence, appoint a general guardian or guardian of the person, or issue a protective order because a party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in unjustifiable conduct, it may assess against that party necessary and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, investigative fees, court costs, communication expenses, witness fees and expenses, and travel expenses. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses of any kind against this State or a governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this State unless authorized by law other than the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. (2016-72, s. 1.)