Guardian Ad Litem
Section 61.401 Florida Statue: Allows for the appointment of Guardian ad Litems, if the court finds it is in the best interest of the child. The Guardian ad Litem will serve as next friend of the child in family law cases. The Guardian ad Litem is charged to investigate and evaluate the family situation. They are tasked to make a report and recommendation to the court as to their findings utilizing the best interest factors.
The Honorable Judge Elisabeth Adams, Kimberly L. Erwin and Alexandra Kleinfeldt are chairing the Guardian ad Litem committee to help inform the bar as to the option in family law cases. The use of Guardian ad Litems has been implemented in many other counties with much success throughout the state. Guardian ad Litems are another tool to move forward the Florida Supreme Court's mandate that the family law system leaves families in a better position than how they entered the system.