(a) The court, on its own motion or upon the petition of any party in interest, may remove the guardian ad litem of an incapacitated party and substitute the person’s guardian or another guardian ad litem.
Rule 2060.Removal of Guardian Ad Litem and Appointment of Substitute.
Adopted June 2, 1941 · Last amended June 3, 1994 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2060 lets the court remove a guardian ad litem for an incapacitated person and appoint a substitute, on its own motion or a party's petition.
Full Text of Rule 2060
(b) The petition shall state the name and address of the person proposed, and the person’s relationship, if any, to the subject matter of the action or to any of the parties thereto. In case the person proposed is the guardian of the incapaci- tated person the petition shall contain a reference to the record of the appoint- ment.
Plain-English Summary
A guardian ad litem who is not serving the incapacitated person well can be replaced. This rule lets the court, on its own motion or any party-in-interest's petition, remove the guardian ad litem and appoint a substitute, keeping the incapacitated person properly represented throughout the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a guardian ad litem be replaced?
Yes. The court may remove the guardian ad litem and appoint a substitute, on its own or a party's petition.
Official Note
Official Note: A guardian does not automatically supersede a guardian ad litem appointed by the court. The court may find it undesirable to transfer the control of the litigation.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2060 adopted June 2, 1941, effective February 2, 1942; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1820; amended June 3, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 3019. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (159495).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: remove guardian ad litemsubstitute GALreplace guardian ad litem