Panel backs amendment requiring attorney guardians ad litem when parties are represented

The Domestic Relations Business and Probate Law Subcommittee voted 5-0 to give House Bill 3,622 a favorable report as amended, a bill that would generally require guardian ad litems in private child custody or visitation cases to be licensed attorneys when a party is represented by counsel.

The amendment adopted with unanimous support would allow parties, regardless of representation status, to mutually agree in writing and with court approval to appoint a lay guardian ad litem. It also gives courts discretion to appoint either a lay or attorney GAL based on the facts and circumstances of a case, and contains a grandfather clause allowing individuals already serving as GALs in pending cases to continue their roles unaffected by the statutory change.

Repre…