Guardian Ad Litem

Advocate for Children

This is a volunteer opportunity, not a paid position.

This volunteer opportunity is NOT eligible for court-ordered service.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office represents abused, abandoned, and neglected children in court and the community. A judge appoints the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office to represent Florida’s most vulnerable children through the collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team that always includes a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney from the child's community. Our Office provides quality, independent legal representation for abused, neglected, and abandoned children while assisting the child in expressing their needs and wishes. Our unique approach allows us to support the whole child, addressing their physical, educational, mental, emotional, social, and legal needs.

We want every child in the dependency system, through no fault of their own, to be represented by a national best practice, three-person multidisciplinary team. Unfortunately, many children in your Florida community are only represented by a Guardian ad Litem Attorney and child welfare professional because we do not have enough community volunteers stepping forward to help these children. The Guardian ad Litem Volunteer is a much-needed team member, but we do not have enough volunteers for the children we represent. This is where you can help. No experience is needed, and online training is free.

Guardians ad Litem become people our most vulnerable children can trust. The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office provides powerful, effective, high-quality advocacy and independent legal representation with one goal: that every child finds a safe, loving, permanent home where they can thrive.

You can be a part of Florida's award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization and make a difference in a child's life. Learn more about how you can become involved or support the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, which provides support and additional resources for children represented by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office.