Guardian ad Litem - District 39

A Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer paired with an attorney to advocate for the best interests of children in the community.

A GAL is a trained community volunteer who is appointed, along with a Guardian ad Litem Attorney Advocate, by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system 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

The GAL volunteer’s primary responsibilities include:

• Investigating the circumstances and available resources surrounding the child to meet the child’s needs
• Visiting the child regularly and gathering information about them through consistent contact
• Collaborating with other participants in the case
• Recommending what’s best for child by writing court reports and testimony
• Monitoring the case
• Keeping all information confidential