RULE 18. APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

If the judge is adjudged incompetent, or if it appears to the hearing panel at any time during the proceedings that the judge is not competent to act on the judge's own behalf, the panel shall appoint a guardian ad litem unless the judge has a guardian who will represent the judge. In the appointment of a guardian ad litem, preference shall be given, whenever possible, to members of the judge's immediate family. The guardian or guardian ad litem may claim and exercise any right and privilege and make any defense for the judge with the same force and effect as if claimed, exercised, or made by the judge, if competent, and whenever these rules provide for serving or giving notice or sending any matter to the judge, the notice or matter must be served, given, or sent to the guardian or guardian ad litem.