Rule 21.03 Duties Generally

When a guardian ad litem is appointed for a case, their job is to dig into the facts on their own. They can't just rely on what one side tells them. They need to look into what's really going on and form their own understanding of the situation.

Once they've done this investigation, they have to share what they found with the court. This can be done by testifying in person or by putting their findings in writing, unless the judge asks for something different. The goal is to give the court an honest, independent view of the facts so the judge can make a fair decision.

If the guardian ad litem is working on a case involving a child in family court, they also have to follow the specific rules that apply to family court cases. These extra guidelines help make sure the guardian handles child-related matters the right way.