Guardian ad Litem Program-Buncombe County

What is a GAL?

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) advocate is a trained community volunteer who is appointed, along with a Guardian ad Litem attorney, by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services. Their role is mandated by North Carolina General Statute 7B-601. By North Carolina statute, the Guardian ad Litem Program can only be involved when a petition alleging child abuse, neglect, or dependency is filed by the Department of Social Services.

Who can be a Guardian ad Litem?

Guardian ad Litem volunteers come from all walks of life and have a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. While no special education or experience is required, we are unable to accept all candidates as volunteers due to the rigor of the program and the sensitive nature of working with children. The process of becoming a Guardian ad Litem volunteer includes an application, a criminal background check, and a screening interview, as well as training.

How will I know what to do as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer?

Guardian ad Litem offices across the state use a nationally recognized training program. Through this training, you will learn about the juvenile court system and your role in it so that you can be confident after you’re sworn in and take your first case. In addition, all Guardian ad Litem volunteers are supervised by an experienced staff member who can offer assistance at any time, plus attorney advocates attend all court sessions, and are available for legal counsel. Additionally, our staff conduct in-service trainings to keep your skills as a court volunteer up to date.

I work full time. Can I still be a Guardian ad Litem volunteer?

Many of our volunteers have full-time jobs. Much of the work can be done on the weekend, in the evening, on the phone, and via email. You would need your employer’s permission to take off work when you have a court date (every three to six months, depending on the case).