The responsibilities and duties of a guardian ad litem are to:
(1) represent the best interests of the child;
(2) advocate for the welfare and rights of a child involved in an abuse or neglect proceeding;
(3) 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;
(4) maintain accurate, written case records;
(5) provide the family court with a written report, consistent with the rules of evidence and the rules of the court, which includes without limitation evaluation and assessment of the issues brought before the court and recommendations for the case plan, the wishes of the child, if appropriate, and subsequent disposition of the case;
(6) monitor compliance with the orders of the family court and to make the motions necessary to enforce the orders of the court or seek judicial review;
(7) protect and promote the best interests of the child until formally relieved of the responsibility by the family court.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.