Role of Guardian Ad Litem

Whenever the court appoints a guardian ad litem, the guardian ad litem shall be furnished copies of all pleadings, documents and reports by the party or agency which served or submitted them. A party or agency submitting, providing, or serving reports and documents to or on a party or the court, shall provide copies promptly thereafter to the guardian ad litem. Upon motion, the court may extend the guardian ad litem's powers as it deems necessary. Except upon a showing of exigent circumstance, the guardian ad litem shall submit any recommendations, in writing, to the parties and to the court at least 7 days before any hearing at which such recommendations shall be made. For purposes of all oral communications between a guardian ad litem and the court, the guardian ad litem shall be treated as a party. (Amended effective January 1, 2005; amended effective January 1, 2020.)