Complaints

Any person may file a complaint against a guardian ad litem. The complaint must be in writing and filed with the Court Administrator. The complaint must state the specific act or failure to act of concern to the complaining person and shall include:

• The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person filing the complaint.
• The status of the underlying case including the case number and case name.
• Whether the complaining person told the guardian ad litem about the complaint.
• What action the guardian ad litem has taken to address the complaint.
• Which section of the Code of Conduct or Order of Appointment or statute was violated, and the specific facts involved for each violation.
• What the complaining person would like done to fix the problem which is the subject of the complaint.

Complaints filed under this rule must be filed within one year from the date of occurrence of the matters complained of. If it is determined that the grievance concerns a completed case and the person making the grievance is a party to the case, or is their attorney, a copy of the grievance shall be sent to the Guardian ad Litem and a written response shall be requested from the Guardian ad Litem. A grievance concerning pending or not completed case shall be directed to the judicial officer presiding over the case.

At the discretion of the Superior Court Judge, the Guardian ad Litem's further participation on the registry may be suspended or denied pending resolution of the grievance. The Judge or Court Administrator shall decide any grievance, including the decision to suspend or remove any Guardian ad Litem from the registry, and shall provide written notice of any decision to the complaining person, the guardian ad litem, and any counsel of record. A copy of the decision shall be placed in the file of the guardian ad litem.

A person may have additional, reasonable requirements imposed upon them which permit them to continue to serve as a Guardian ad Litem, they may be denied listing on the registry; or they may be removed from the registry for any other reason that places the suitability of the person to act as a Guardian ad Litem in question.