This is a person appointed by the court to act as the court's agent and not for one of the parties before the court. The guardian ad litem is supposed to be neutral.

In almost every disabled person guardianship proceeding a guardian ad litem is appointed to visit the alleged disabled person and report to the court as to the person's condition and whether or not they wish to contest the proceeding.

Guardian ad litems can be appointed in many circumstances. Besides being appointed at the outset of a guardianship proceeding they are also often appointed when a guardian has a conflict of interest with the ward or the administrator of a decedent's estate has a conflict with the estate. For instance, the guardian may wish to purchase property from the ward's estate or the guardian may want to be reimbursed for services or property furnished to or on behalf of the ward prior to the institution of a guardianship. Guardian ad litems are often appointed in decedent's estates to protect the interests of minor or disabled beneficiaries.

Donald M. Thompson * 55 W. Monroe #3950; Chicago, IL 60603 - Illinois Probate Lawyers
Ph: 312-782-0844 * Fax: 312-201-1436 * Email: donthompsonlaw@sbcglobal.net