Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

Re: guardian ad litem

A guardian ad litem is (usually) an attorney appointed by the judge to represent the best interests of a minor child who is the subject of a legal proceeding (such as a divorce or paternity matter). The judge is required to appoint a guardian ad litem whenever allegations of child abuse or neglect are raised in custody proceedings and in most cases where a child's paternity is being challenged. The guardian ad litem will interview both parents and the child if the child is old enough to communicate with the guardian ad litem, make other investigations, and eventually report to the judge his or her impressions and sometimes recommendations for the best interests of the child.