Responsibilities and Duties of Guardian Ad Litem

Responsibilities and Duties of Guardian Ad Litem. The responsibilities and duties of a guardian ad litem are to: (a) Represent the best interests of the juvenile, other minor or other legally incompetent individual; (b) Advocate for the welfare and rights of a juvenile, other minor or other legally incompetent individual alleged to be a victim in an abuse or neglect proceeding; (c) Conduct an independent assessment of the facts, the needs of the child, and the available resources within the family and community to meet those needs; (d) Provide the court with a written report or reports, which include without limitation evaluation and assessment of the issues brought before the court, and recommendations for disposition of the case, and, if appropriate, the wishes of the juvenile, other minor or other legally incompetent individual; (e) Monitor compliance with the orders of the family court during the pendency of the court case. The guardian ad litem may, but shall not be required to do so, make such motions as may be necessary to enforce the orders of the court, or to seek judicial review; and (f) Protect and promote the best interests of the juvenile until formally relieved of the responsibility by the court. Source: PL 16-47, § 35(d), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission changed capitalization for conformity pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(f).