Guardian Ad Litem District 34

Established by statute in 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Office of Guardian ad Litem Services as a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Pursuant to G.S. 7B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child. GAL child advocates are trained, supervised, and supported by Program Staff in each county of the state. A team of GAL attorney advocates, volunteers, and staff provide legal and best interests advocacy to North Carolina children who are alleged by a department of social services.

The role of Guardian ad Litem advocates is to:

• Protect and promote the best interests of juveniles in abuse and neglect court proceedings
• Conduct independent investigations to determine the facts, needs of the child, and the resources appropriate to meet those needs
• Report the wishes or preferences of the child and make recommendations to the court
• Advocate for abused and neglected children in every county of the state