Legal guardian
Guardian ad litem[edit | edit source]
A guardian ad litem (GAL) is a person the court appoints to investigate what solutions would be in the best interests of a child. The term is used in the United States and some other jurisdictions. The guardian ad litem is often an attorney but does not have to be. The role of a GAL is to represent the best interests of the child in legal proceedings, which can include cases of child custody, child abuse, neglect, and adoption.
Role and Responsibilities[edit | edit source]
The primary responsibility of a guardian ad litem is to act as an advocate for the child's best interests. This includes:
- Conducting an independent investigation to gather information about the child's situation.
- Interviewing the child, parents, family members, and other relevant parties.
- Reviewing documents and records related to the child's welfare.
- Making recommendations to the court about what arrangements would best serve the child's needs.
- Representing the child's best interests in court hearings and other legal proceedings.
Appointment[edit | edit source]
A guardian ad litem is typically appointed by a judge in cases where the child's welfare is a significant concern. The appointment can be requested by any party involved in the case, including the child's parents, the state, or the court itself.
Training and Qualifications[edit | edit source]
The qualifications and training required for a guardian ad litem vary by jurisdiction. In many places, GALs are required to complete specific training programs that cover topics such as child development, family dynamics, and the legal aspects of child welfare cases. Some jurisdictions also require GALs to have a background in social work, psychology, or law.
Differences from Other Guardians[edit | edit source]
A guardian ad litem differs from other types of guardians in that their role is temporary and specific to a particular legal proceeding. Unlike a legal guardian, who has ongoing responsibility for a child's care and decision-making, a GAL's involvement ends when the court case is resolved.
Related Concepts[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Family law |
|---|
| Family |
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
