Guardian Ad Litem Law
Helping you navigate the process and securing a favorable outcome. Making sure you are protected.
In Virginia, a Guardian ad litem (GAL) is an attorney appointed by a court to assist in matters before a judge. GALs have a ultimate obligation of providing an independent recommendations to a judge or court about the best interests of his or her appointed client.
GALs are appointed in a variety of cases, representing incarcerated and incapacitated adults as well as children. Some of the cases in which a Guardian ad litem may be selected include:
- Child support
- Child custody
- Tax Sales
- Estate Settlements
- Infant Settlements
- Divorce
- Social Services/Foster care
- Adoptions
- Juvenile Criminal Cases
- Guardian and Conservatorships
The GAL, by order of a court, may conduct interviews, review records, file legal actions on behalf of a client, investigate issues, make reports to the court, and participate in court hearings, trials, arbitrations, and/or mediations.
A GAL is different from a guardian and/or conservator, who is a person appointed to handle personal and financial care of another individual. GALs serve at the request of a court and terms end when the courts have made final decisions.
Lynn Robinson, Esquire has served as an adult and juvenile GAL for many years. She has represented incapacitated adults and youth in cases in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts (JDR) and areas Circuit Courts. She has maintained special certification from the Supreme Court of Virginia as a Guardian ad Litem for children.
