48.235 Guardian ad litem.

(1) Appointment.

(a) The court may appoint a guardian ad litem in any appropriate matter under this chapter.

(b) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor parent petitioning for the voluntary termination of parental rights.

(c) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for any child who is the subject of a proceeding to terminate parental rights, whether voluntary or involuntary, for a child who is the subject of a contested adoption proceeding and for a child who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 48.977 or 48.978.

(d) The circuit court may appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor in a proceeding under s. 48.375 (7) to aid the circuit court in determining under s. 48.375 (7) (c) whether or not the minor is mature and well-informed enough to make the abortion decision on her own and whether or not the performance or inducement of the abortion is in the minor's best interests.

(e) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, or extend the appointment of a guardian ad litem previously appointed under par. (a), for any child alleged or found to be in need of protection or services, if the court has ordered, or if a request or recommendation has been made that the court order, the child to be placed out of his or her home under s. 48.32, 48.345, or 48.357. This paragraph does not apply to a child who is subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4., 48.357 (6) (a) 4., or 48.365 (5) (b) 4.

(f) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, or extend the appointment of a guardian ad litem previously appointed under par. (a), for any unborn child alleged or found to be in need of protection or services.

(g) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for a parent who is the subject of a termination of parental rights proceeding, if any assessment or examination of a parent that is ordered under s. 48.295 (1) shows that the parent is not competent to participate in the proceeding or to assist his or her counsel or the court in protecting the parent's rights in the proceeding.

(2) Qualifications. The guardian ad litem shall be an attorney admitted to practice in this state. No person who is an interested party in a proceeding, who appears as counsel or court-appointed special advocate in a proceeding on behalf of any party or who is a relative or representative of an interested party in a proceeding may be appointed guardian ad litem in that proceeding.

(3) Duties and responsibilities.

(a) The guardian ad litem shall be an advocate for the best interests of the person or unborn child for whom the appointment is made. The guardian ad litem shall function independently, in the same manner as an attorney for a party to the action, and shall consider, but shall not be bound by, the wishes of that person or the positions of others as to the best interests of that person or unborn child. If the guardian ad litem determines that the best interests of the person are substantially inconsistent with the wishes of that person, the guardian ad litem shall so inform the court and the court may appoint counsel to represent that person. The guardian ad litem has none of the rights or duties of a general guardian.

(b) In addition to any other duties and responsibilities required of a guardian ad litem, a guardian ad litem appointed for a child who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 48.13 or for an unborn child who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 48.133 shall do all of the following:

1. Unless granted leave by the court not to do so, personally, or through a trained designee, meet with the child or expectant mother of the unborn child, assess the appropriateness and safety of the environment of the child or unborn child and, if the child is old enough to communicate, interview the child and determine the child's goals and concerns regarding his or her placement.

2. Make clear and specific recommendations to the court concerning the best interest of the child or unborn child at every stage of the proceeding.

(4) Matters involving child in need of protection or services.

(a) In any matter involving a child found to be in need of protection or services, the guardian ad litem may, if reappointed or if the appointment is continued under sub. (7), do any of the following:

1. Participate in permanency planning under ss. 48.38 and 48.43 (5).

2. Petition for a change in placement under s. 48.357.

3. Petition for termination of parental rights or any other matter specified under s. 48.14.

4. Petition for revision of dispositional orders under s. 48.363.

5. Petition for extension of dispositional orders under s. 48.365.

6. Petition for a temporary restraining order and injunction under s. 813.122 or 813.125.

7. Petition for relief from a judgment terminating parental rights under s. 48.028 or 48.46.

7g. Petition for the appointment of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), the revision of a guardianship order under s. 48.977 (6) or the removal of a guardian under s. 48.977 (7).

7m. Bring an action or motion for the determination of the child's paternity under s. 767.80.

8. Perform any other duties consistent with this chapter.

(b) The court shall order the agency identified under s. 48.33 (1) (c) as primarily responsible for the provision of services to notify the guardian ad litem, if any, regarding actions to be taken under par. (a).

(4m) Matters involving unborn child in need of protection or services.

(a) In any matter involving an unborn child found to be in need of protection or services, the guardian ad litem may, if reappointed or if the appointment is continued under sub. (7), do any of the following:

1. Participate in permanency planning under ss. 48.38 and 48.43 (5) after the child is born.

2. Petition for a change in placement under s. 48.357.

3. Petition for termination of parental rights or any other matter specified under s. 48.14 after the child is born.

3m. Petition for a commitment of the expectant mother of the unborn child under ch. 51 as specified in s. 48.14 (5).

4. Petition for revision of dispositional orders under s. 48.363.

5. Petition for extension of dispositional orders under s. 48.365.

6. Petition for a temporary restraining order and injunction under s. 813.122 or 813.125 after the child is born.

7. Petition for relief from a judgment terminating parental rights under s. 48.028 or 48.46 after the child is born.

7g. Petition for the appointment of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), the revision of a guardianship order under s. 48.977 (6) or the removal of a guardian under s. 48.977 (7) after the child is born.

7m. Bring an action or motion for the determination of the child's paternity under s. 767.80 after the child is born.

8. Perform any other duties consistent with this chapter.

(b) The court shall order the agency identified under s. 48.33 (1) (c) as primarily responsible for the provision of services to notify the guardian ad litem, if any, regarding actions to be taken under par. (a).

(5) Matters involving minor parent. The guardian ad litem for a minor parent whose parental rights are the subject of a voluntary termination proceeding shall interview the minor parent, investigate the reason for the termination of parental rights, assess the voluntariness of the consent and inform the minor parent of his or her rights and of the alternatives to, and the effect of, termination of parental rights.

(5m) Matters involving contested termination of parental rights proceedings.

(a) In any termination of parental rights proceeding involving a child who has been found to be in need of protection or services and whose parent is contesting the termination of his or her parental rights, a guardian ad litem for a parent who has been appointed under sub. (1) (g) shall provide information to the court relating to the parent's competency to participate in the proceeding, and shall also provide assistance to the court and the parent's adversary counsel in protecting the parent's rights in the proceeding.

(b) The guardian ad litem may not participate in the proceeding as a party, and may not call witnesses, provide opening statements or closing arguments, or participate in any activity at trial that is required to be performed by the parent's adversary counsel.

(6) Communication to a jury. In jury trials under this chapter, the guardian ad litem or the court may tell the jury that the guardian ad litem represents the interests of the person or unborn child for whom the guardian ad litem was appointed.

(7) Termination and extension of appointment. The appointment of a guardian ad litem under sub. (1) terminates upon the entry of the court's final order or upon the termination of any appeal in which the guardian ad litem participates. The guardian ad litem may appeal, may participate in an appeal or may do neither. If an appeal is taken by any party and the guardian ad litem chooses not to participate in that appeal, he or she shall file with the appellate court a statement of reasons for not participating. Irrespective of the guardian ad litem's decision not to participate in an appeal, the appellate court may order the guardian ad litem to participate in the appeal. At any time, the guardian ad litem, any party or the person for whom the appointment is made may request in writing or on the record that the court extend or terminate the appointment or reappointment. The court may extend that appointment, or reappoint a guardian ad litem appointed under this section, after the entry of the final order or after the termination of the appeal, but the court shall specifically state the scope of the responsibilities of the guardian ad litem during the period of that extension or reappointment.

(8) Compensation.

(a) A guardian ad litem appointed under this chapter shall be compensated at a rate that the court determines is reasonable, except that, if the court orders a county to pay the compensation of the guardian ad litem under par. (b) or (c) 2., the amount ordered may not exceed the compensation payable to a private attorney under s. 977.08 (4m) (b).

(b) Subject to par. (c), the court may order either or both of the parents of a child for whom a guardian ad litem is appointed under this chapter to pay all or any part of the compensation of the guardian ad litem. In addition, upon motion by the guardian ad litem, the court may order either or both of the parents of the child to pay the fee for an expert witness used by the guardian ad litem, if the guardian ad litem shows that the use of the expert is necessary to assist the guardian ad litem in performing his or her functions or duties under this chapter. If one or both parents are indigent or if the court determines that it would be unfair to a parent to require him or her to pay, the court may order the county of venue to pay the compensation and fees, in whole or in part. If the court orders the county of venue to pay because a parent is indigent, the court may also order either or both of the parents to reimburse the county, in whole or in part, for the payment.

(c)

1. In an uncontested termination of parental rights and adoption proceeding under s. 48.833, the court shall order the agency that placed the child for adoption to pay the compensation of the child's guardian ad litem.

2. In an uncontested termination of parental rights and adoption proceeding under s. 48.835 or 48.837, the court shall order the proposed adoptive parents to pay the compensation of the child's guardian ad litem. If the proposed adoptive parents are indigent, the court may order the county of venue to pay the compensation, in whole or in part, and may order the proposed adoptive parents to reimburse the county, in whole or in part, for the payment.

3. In a proceeding under s. 813.122 or 813.125, the court may not order the child victim or any parent, stepparent, or legal guardian of the child victim who is not a party to the action, to pay any part of the compensation of the guardian ad litem.

(d) At any time before the final order in a proceeding in which a guardian ad litem is appointed for a child under this chapter, the court may order a parent, agency or proposed adoptive parent to place payments in an escrow account in an amount estimated to be sufficient to pay any compensation and fees payable under par. (b) or (c).

(e) If the court orders a parent or proposed adoptive parent to reimburse a county under par. (b) or (c) 2., the court may order a separate judgment for the amount of the reimbursement in favor of the county and against the parent or proposed adoptive parent who is responsible for the reimbursement.

(f) The court may enforce its orders under this subsection by means of its contempt powers.

History: Sup. Ct. Order, 151 Wis. 2d xxv (1989); 1991 a. 189, 263; 1993 a. 16, 318, 395; 1995 a. 27, 275; 1997 a. 237, 292, 334; 1999 a. 149; 2005 a. 293; 2005 a. 443 s. 265; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 94; 2013 a. 322, 334; 2015 a. 373.

Judicial Council Note, 1990: This section is designed to clarify when a guardian ad litem may or shall be appointed under this chapter; to define the duties of the guardian ad litem; and to require the adoptive parents to pay guardian ad litem fees in independent adoptions and the agency to do so in adoptions pursuant to s. 48.837.

When a party to a CHIPS action is represented by both adversary counsel and a GAL, adversary counsel must be allowed to zealously represent the client's expressed wishes, even if the GAL holds an opposing view. In Interest of T.L. 151 Wis. 2d 725, 445 N.W.2d 729 (Ct. App. 1989).

A court's power to appropriate compensation for court-appointed counsel is necessary for the effective operation of the judicial system. In ordering compensation for attorneys, a court should abide by the s. 977.08 (4m) rate when it can retain qualified and effective counsel at that rate, but should order compensation at the rate under SCR 81.01 or 81.02, or a higher rate when necessary, to secure effective counsel. Friedrich v. Dane County Circuit Ct. 192 Wis. 2d 1, 531 N.W.2d 32 (1995).

Except as provided in sub. (8), a guardian ad litem appointed under ch. 48 is to be paid by the county, regardless of the type of action or the parent's ability to pay. Michael T. v. Briggs, 204 Wis. 2d 401, 555 N.W.2d 651 (Ct. App. 1996), 96-1297.