CHAPTER 3. GUARDIANS AD LITEM AND COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES
IC 31-32-3
Chapter 3. Guardians Ad Litem and Court Appointed Special
Advocates
IC 31-32-3-1
Appointment
Sec. 1. The juvenile court may appoint a guardian ad litem or a
court appointed special advocate, or both, for the child at any time.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-2
Persons ineligible for appointment
Sec. 2. A court may not appoint a party to the proceedings, an
employee of a party to the proceedings, or a representative of a party
to the proceedings as the:
(1) guardian ad litem;
(2) court appointed special advocate;
(3) guardian ad litem program; or
(4) court appointed special advocate program;
for a child involved in the proceedings.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-3
Appointment of child's attorney as guardian ad litem or court
appointed special advocate
Sec. 3. A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate
need not be an attorney, but the attorney representing the child may
be appointed the child's guardian ad litem or court appointed special
advocate.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-4
Representation by attorney
Sec. 4. The guardian ad litem or the court appointed special
advocate may be represented by an attorney.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-5
Court appointment of attorney
Sec. 5. If necessary to protect the child's interests, the court may
appoint an attorney to represent the guardian ad litem or the court
appointed special advocate. The court may only appoint one (1)
attorney under this section.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-6
Representation of best interests of child
Sec. 6. A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate
shall represent and protect the best interests of the child.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-7
Officers of the court
Sec. 7. The guardian ad litem or the court appointed special
advocate, or both, shall be considered officers of the court for the
purpose of representing the child's interests.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-8
Term of appointment
Sec. 8. A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate
serves until the juvenile court enters an order for discharge under
IC 31-34-21-11 or IC 31-37-20-8.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-9
Fees
Sec. 9. If any fees arise, payment shall be made under IC 31-40.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.
IC 31-32-3-10
Civil immunity
Sec. 10. Except for gross misconduct, if:
(1) the guardian ad litem;
(2) a court appointed special advocate;
(3) an employee of a county guardian ad litem or court
appointed special advocate program; or
(4) a volunteer for a county guardian ad litem or court
appointed special advocate program;
performs duties in good faith, the guardian ad litem or court
appointed special advocate is immune from any civil liability that
may occur as a result of that person's performance during the time
that the person is acting within the duties of the guardian ad litem or
court appointed special advocate program.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.