Where the trial court appointed a guardian ad litem to protect appellant’s interest in ongoing litigation arising from a dispute between appellant as a property owner and respondent, which managed and maintained the subdivision, the judgment is reversed and remanded ...

Tagged with: guardian ad litem Withdrawal

Gross v. Jackson County (MLW No. 71329/Case No. WD80124 – 16 pages) (Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, Mitchell, J.)

Tagged with: Attorney’s Fees Domestic Relations guardian ad litem Public Funds

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the guardian ad litem in a St. Charles County divorce case can keep the attorney fees she earned for an appeal, but it sidestepped the larger issue of whether her participation in the appeal was allowed in the first place.

Tagged with: guardian ad litem Missouri Supreme Court SCOMO

Soehlke v. Soehlke (MLW No. 64992Case No. SC92872 – 22 pages) (Supreme Court of Missouri, Wilson, J.; all concur)

Tagged with: Child Custody Domestic Relations Family Law guardian ad litem Modification

How can courts ensure that guardians ad litem are paid enough to attract qualified people? What exactly are the duties of a guardian ad litem? What’s an acceptable caseload? These are just a few of the questions a Missouri Supreme ...

Tagged with: Family Law guardian ad litem Missouri Supreme Court Office of State Courts Administrator SCOMO

The public and members of The Missouri Bar are encouraged to submit comments and recommendations on current guardian ad litem standards to a Missouri Supreme Court committee. The Family Court Committee will review the current standards (click here to read ...

Tagged with: guardian ad litem Missouri Supreme Court SCOMO

Money can be a concern for anyone intending to go to court, but an appeals court decision lessens that worry for anyone seeking an order of protection for their child. In a victory for abused women and their children, the Eastern District Court of Appeals determined earlier this month that under the Child Protection Orders Act, petitioners of child orders of protection are exempt from paying appellate court docket fees and guardian ad litem fees. Leigh Joy Carson, a guardian ad litem, says “You really can’t sit around arguing over fees because that is not [a GAL’s job]."

Tagged with: guardian ad litem