Guam § 13319 - Sustaining or Dismissing Petition; Interim Orders.

§ 13319. Sustaining or Dismissing Petition; Interim Orders.

(a) If facts sufficient to sustain the petition are established, the court shall enter an order finding that

the child is a child whose physical or psychological health or welfare has been harmed or is subject to

threatened harm by the acts or omissions of the child’s family and shall state the grounds for the finding;

provided that if all parties consent, the grounds for the finding may be based upon the report or reports

submitted pursuant to § 13309 or other stipulated evidence may be admitted into evidence subject to

reservation by the parties of their right to cross-examination subject to subsection (c) of § 13309.

(b) If facts sufficient to sustain the petition under this Chapter are not established, the court shall

dismiss the petition and shall state the grounds for dismissal.

COL 2025-12-23

(c) If the court sustains the petition and does not immediately enter an order regarding the disposition

of the child, it shall:

(1) Determine, based upon the facts adduced during the fact-finding hearing and any other

additional facts presented to it, whether temporary foster custody should be continued or should be

entered pending an order of disposition. The court shall consider all relevant prior and current

information for determining whether the child’s family is willing and able to provide the child with a

safe family home, and the report or reports submitted pursuant to § 13309, and proceed pursuant to

subsection (c) of § 13316 prior to rendering a determination; and

(2) Enter such orders regarding visitation and the provision of services to the child and the child’s

family and the child’s and family’s acceptance and cooperation with such services as the court deems

to be appropriate and consistent with the best interests of the child.

(d) Orders orally stated by the court on the record in a proceeding under this Chapter shall have full

force and effect upon the date of the hearing until further order of the court; provided that all oral orders

shall be reduced to writing as soon as convenient.