A guardian ad litem. Sometimes, if there is no guardian ad litem, the department of children and families will have attorneys working on a child's case.
A Guardian Ad Litem ADDED: Guardians Ad Litem do not necessarily have to be attorneys. They may also be trained lay persons.
The two terms are NOT synonymous.
That would depend on where you are. The guardian ad-litem is appointed by the courts to act in the interest of a minor child in the legal proceedings that affect that child. You would have to know where the courts get the ad-litem from. There is usually a pool of attorneys that the court draws from. If the guardian ad-litem has breached the legal duty then you may be able to file a complaint against them through the attorney licensing board or the bar association for the state in which this happened. The attorney complaints board is regulated through the state supreme courts.
Have the judge order it
A guardian ad-litem is appointed by the courts
Generally yes. In Massachusetts a guardian ad litem gets paid for their services. Their fee is sometimes paid by the court system that appointed them (the state). You would need to check your state laws.
Guardian or Guardian Ad Litem?
G A L stands for "guardian ad litem." A guardian ad litem is someone who is appointed by the court to represent and protect the interests of a minor child or incompetent adult during litigation.
The judge is the one who makes the decision.
If the minor child's interest needs to be monitored the court will appoint a guardian ad litem. Custody issues are legal matters between parents.If the minor child's interest needs to be monitored the court will appoint a guardian ad litem. Custody issues are legal matters between parents.If the minor child's interest needs to be monitored the court will appoint a guardian ad litem. Custody issues are legal matters between parents.If the minor child's interest needs to be monitored the court will appoint a guardian ad litem. Custody issues are legal matters between parents.
Of course not. A dead child has no personal needs or interests in a legal action.