Guardian ad Litem, 43rd district

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program equips community volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court. 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.