Rule 8.  Persons allowed to be present during hearing; unofficial recording of financial exploitation proceedings prohibited.

(a)  Notwithstanding the provisions in Rule 6a of these rules, no person or advocate accompanying a petitioner or protected, or incapacitated person, is precluded from being present if his or her presence is desired by the person seeking a petition, unless such person is a witness in the proceeding and a motion for sequestration has been made and such motion has been granted. Any person shall be permitted to sit with a party during the hearing. Any person found by the court to be disruptive may be precluded from being present. For purposes of this rule, an advocate means an employee or representative of a licensed program for victims of elder abuse.