(1) Notice of the hearing on the petition to appoint a conservator shall be given to all persons named in the petition by registered mail or certified mail with return receipt requested.
(2) The judge shall hear evidence on the question of whether the person alleged to be missing, interned, beleaguered, etc., is an absentee as defined by s. 747.01 and on the question of who is entitled to appointment as conservator. Any person interested in such proceedings may intervene with leave of the court. (3) The court may in its discretion appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the alleged absentee at the hearing.