What You Need to Know About Guardians Ad Litem

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By Rebecca Geyer, Rebecca W. Geyer & Associates PC

There are situations in which protecting the best interests of your child makes joint decision-making undesirable, inadvisable, or impossible. In these cases, the court might appoint a Guardian Ad Litem for your child.

A Guardian Ad Litem, in Indiana, is someone appointed to protect the interests of children or other parties (e.g. mentally disabled adults, elderly individuals suffering from dementia, etc.) who are not capable of representing themselves or protecting their own interests. Guardians Ad Litem are also often referred to as a GAL. The GAL’s only focus is in ensuring that the best interests of the person they represent are asserted. Because most courts do not allow children to participate in litigation, a GAL can be a good way of providing your child a voice in the courtroom.

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