Appointing Client-Directed Counsel to Children in Children-in Need-of-Care
Proceedings
Appointing a guardian ad litem (GAL) in cases involving abused children results in confusion. This confusion stems from the unclear and potentially conflicting ethical obligations of the GAL to the court and the child. This conflict and confusion limit the ability of a GAL to adequately represent the child and enforce the child's rights. To reduce confusion, states should appoint a client-directed attorney with well-established ethical duties to represent the child’s expressed wishes.