About Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program equips community volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court.
Our Program
Established by statute in 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Office of Guardian ad Litem Services as a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Pursuant to G.S. 7B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child. GAL child advocates are trained, supervised, and supported by Program Staff in each county of the state. A team of GAL attorney advocates, volunteers, and staff provide legal and best interests advocacy to North Carolina children who are alleged by a department of social services.
The role of Guardian ad Litem advocates is to:
- Protect and promote the best interests of juveniles in abuse and neglect court proceedings
- Conduct independent investigations to determine the facts, needs of the child, and the resources appropriate to meet those needs
- Consider the wishes or preferences of the child and report those to the court
- Advocate for abused and neglected children in every county of the state
How Does the Community Benefit? Communities have a stake in deciding what the standard of protection and care is for children. Guardians ad Litem are appointed by the court to ensure vulnerable children in their communities are safe and protected, and that judges have objective recommendations to address their best interests.
The prevention of child abuse is a mission that belongs to the community. Communities have a stake in deciding what the standard of protection and care is for children. Guardian ad Litem volunteers directly influence that standard as they speak up for abused and neglected children in court.
In addition to serving our community’s most vulnerable population, there are two things that make the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program an asset to communities:
A rewarding, robust volunteer opportunity
The role of the Guardian ad Litem is both rewarding and full of challenges. It requires the community citizen to be objective and creative in their advocacy. GAL volunteers frequently describe the program as the “best volunteer work” they’ve ever done and many GAL volunteers feel that they are making a real difference in children’s lives, and in the world.
An independent, unbiased voice in the courtroom
Guardian ad Litem volunteers provide an independent, unbiased voice for abused and neglected children in the courtroom. Because volunteers are unpaid, and because they focus on the child’s best interests, their position in the courtroom is unique.