Rule 1-152.Mandatory and discretionary appointment of guardian ad litem; powers and duties of the guardian ad litem; payment

This rule provides for a child’s representative in contested kinship cases. The court must appoint a guardian ad litem when a participating parent objects to the kinship guardianship petition, or when a parent petitions to revoke an established kinship guardianship and the guardian objects. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem on a party’s motion or its own discretion.

The guardian ad litem investigates the circumstances—visiting the child’s home and interviewing the proposed guardian and the parents where available—reports to the court on the child’s best interests and position, and recommends a transition plan if a petition is denied while the child is living with the petitioner, or if a guardianship is revoked. The court may order the parties to pay a reasonable GAL fee, or pay it from court funds if all parties are indigent.