1. Upon receipt of a petition for appointment of a conservator or other protective order because of minority, the court shall set a date for hearing on the matters alleged in the petition. If, at any time in the proceeding, the court determines that the interests of the minor are or may be inadequately represented, it may appoint an attorney to represent the minor, giving consideration to the choice of the minor if fourteen years of age or older. A lawyer appointed by the court to represent a minor has the powers and duties of a guardian ad litem.
2. Upon receipt of a petition for appointment of a conservator or other protective order for reasons other than minority, the court shall set a date for hearing. If, at any time in the proceeding, the court determines that the interests of the person to be protected are or may be inadequately represented, it may appoint an attorney to represent the person to be protected. An attorney appointed by the court to represent a protected person has the powers and duties of a guardian ad litem. If the alleged disability is mental illness, mental deficiency, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs, or chronic intoxication, the court may direct that the person to be protected be examined by a physician designated by the court, preferably a physician who is not connected with any institution in which the person is a patient or is detained. The court may send a visitor to interview the person to be protected. The visitor may be a guardian ad litem or an officer, employee, or special appointee of the court. In any case where the veterans' administration is or may be an interested party, a certificate of an authorized official of the veterans' administration that the person to be protected has been found incapable of handling the benefits payable on examination in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the veterans' administration shall be prima facie evidence of the necessity for such appointment.
3. After hearing, upon finding that a basis for the appointment of a conservator or other protective order has been established, the court shall make an appointment or other appropriate protective order.