Powers and Duties of the Attorney Ad Litem
After the ad litem is appointed by the court, he/she is required by statute to: (1) interview the child in a developmentally appropriate manner if the child is four years old or older; (2) interview each person who has significant knowledge of the child’s history and condition; (3) investigate the facts of the case to the extent the attorney ad litem deems appropriate; (4) obtain and review copies of relevant records pertaining to the child; (5) participate in the litigation as the other attorneys do; (6) take any action consistent with the child’s interests that considers necessary to expedite the proceedings; and, (7) encourage settlement and the use of dispute resolution.
Additional duties of the ad litem include eliciting the child’s goals of representation, advising the child, provide guidance to the child, and represent the child’s expressed objectives if the ad litem determines that the child is competent.
