Section 18 Standards for Guardian ad Litem

• Library: Juvenile Law 2011 Forms

The following Missouri guardian ad litem practice standards were adopted by the Supreme Court in 1996. Standard 13.0 was amended on June 16, 1997. These standards are also available online at:

www.courts.mo.gov/file/Guardian%20ad%20litem%20Standards.pdf

STANDARD 1.0 Appointment of Guardians ad litem

Only a lawyer licensed by the Supreme Court of Missouri and, when authorized by law, a court appointed special advocate volunteer sworn in as an officer of the court shall be appointed to act as a guardian ad litem for a child. The guardian ad litem shall be appointed not later than the first proceeding at which a guardian ad litem is required by law and shall remain involved until the matter in which the guardian ad litem is appointed is concluded or as otherwise ordered by the court.

STANDARD 2.0 Independent Judgment of Guardian ad litem

A guardian ad litem, whether a lawyer or a volunteer, shall be guided by the best interests of the child and shall exercise independent judgment on behalf of the child in all matters.

STANDARD 3.0 Faithful Performance of Duties

The court shall assure that the guardian ad litem maintains independent representation of the best interests of the child. The court shall require the guardian ad litem to perform the guardian ad litem duties faithfully and, upon failure to do so, shall discharge the guardian ad litem and appoint another.

STANDARD 4.0 Volunteer Advocates

If the court appoints a court appointed special advocate volunteer, the services of a lawyer shall be obtained by the volunteer program supporting the...