2006 Indiana Code - CHAPTER 3. GUARDIANS AD LITEM AND COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES

IC 31-32-3
     Chapter 3. Guardians Ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocates

IC 31-32-3-1
Appointment
    31-32-3-1 Sec. 1. The juvenile court may appoint a guardian ad litem or a court appointed special advocate, or both, for the child at any time.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-2
Persons ineligible for appointment
    31-32-3-2 Sec. 2. A court may not appoint a party to the proceedings, an employee of a party to the proceedings, or a representative of a party to the proceedings as the:
        (1) guardian ad litem;
        (2) court appointed special advocate;
        (3) guardian ad litem program; or
        (4) court appointed special advocate program;
for a child involved in the proceedings.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-3
Appointment of child's attorney as guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate
    31-32-3-3 Sec. 3. A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate need not be an attorney, but the attorney representing the child may be appointed the child's guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-4
Representation by attorney
    31-32-3-4 Sec. 4. The guardian ad litem or the court appointed special advocate may be represented by an attorney.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-5
Court appointment of attorney
    31-32-3-5 Sec. 5. If necessary to protect the child's interests, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the guardian ad litem or the court appointed special advocate. The court may only appoint one (1) attorney under this section.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-6
Representation of best interests of child
    31-32-3-6 Sec. 6. A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate shall represent and protect the best interests of the child. As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-7
Officers of the court
    31-32-3-7 Sec. 7. The guardian ad litem or the court appointed special advocate, or both, shall be considered officers of the court for the purpose of representing the child's interests.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-8
Term of appointment
    31-32-3-8 Sec. 8. A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate serves until the juvenile court enters an order for discharge under IC 31-34-21-11 or IC 31-37-20-8.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-9
Fees
    31-32-3-9 Sec. 9. If any fees arise, payment shall be made under IC 31-40.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.

IC 31-32-3-10
Civil immunity
    31-32-3-10 Sec. 10. Except for gross misconduct, if:
        (1) the guardian ad litem;
        (2) a court appointed special advocate;
        (3) an employee of a county guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate program; or
        (4) a volunteer for a county guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate program;
performs duties in good faith, the guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate is immune from any civil liability that may occur as a result of that person's performance during the time that the person is acting within the duties of the guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate program.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.15.