What is a guardian ad-litem? In simplest terms the guardian ad-litem is a foster child’s attorney. The guardian ad-litem is the foster child’s advocate in all legal matters. He has the foster child’s best legal interests in mind. He is the foster child’s advocate in court.
The majority of children have parents who love and care for them. Their parents are careful about what happens to them and take steps to make sure that their environments are appropriate. These children do not need guardians ad-litem to make decisions for them because they’re rarely going to end up in legal battles. Children going through divorce may be appointed guardians ad-litem, if the courts deem them too young to be able to voice their desires.
Foster children need advocates. They need guardians ad-litem to speak for them in court. They need those attorneys to know the law and know where the best place for the foster children to legally live ultimately is. While older foster children are able to share their wants and desires with the attorneys, the attorneys know the laws and have to blend the law with the wants of the children, and communicate all of that to the court.
I have had experience with several guardians ad-litem. One didn’t come to our home to meet us and visit with the child. In the few times we spoke on the phone she led us to believe she’d be advocating for us to keep the child. Jessie’s attorney told us that nothing was over until it was over. She was a pleasure to work with until it was over. Then she wouldn’t return Jessie’s pictures and became very rude about it.
Like anyone in any job each of these attorneys approached the duties differently. The one I’m working with currently is very frank and informative.