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Subcommittee backs bill to generally require attorneys as guardians ad litem, adopts amendment allowing lay guardians by agreement
Summary
The Domestic Relations, Business and Probate Law Subcommittee voted 5-0 to give House Bill 3,622 a favorable report after adopting an amendment that requires guardian ad litems generally be licensed attorneys but permits lay guardians by written party agreement and gives judges discretion in appointments.
At a Thursday meeting of the Domestic Relations, Business and Probate Law Subcommittee, members voted 5-0 to give House Bill 3,622 a favorable report as amended. The bill would generally require that guardian ad litems (GALs) in private child custody or visitation cases be licensed attorneys in good standing with the South Carolina Bar, while the adopted amendment preserves limited roles for qualified lay guardians.
House Bill 3,622 would change South Carolina law by making attorney status the default for GAL appointments in private custody and visitation matters. The amendment adopted by the…
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