Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00564/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00564-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MADLYN SCOTT, on behalf of D.S., a 

minor,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:16-cv-00564-SAB

ORDER REQURING PLAINTIFF TO 

SUBMIT MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT 

OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFF TO PAY 

FILING FEE OR FILE LONG FORM IFP 

APPLICATION

Plaintiff seeks judicial review of the administrative decision denying D.S.’s claim for 

Social Security benefits. Plaintiff is bringing this action on behalf of her minor daughter, D.S. 

The capacity of a litigant is determined “by the law of the state where the court is 

located.” Fed R. Civ. P. 17(b). Under California law, a minor “shall appear either by a guardian 

or conservator of the estate or by a guardian ad litem appointed by the court in which the action 

or proceeding is pending, or by the judge in each case.” Cal. Code of Civ. P. § 372. 

Consequently, a minor cannot maintain an action on his own. However, a minor may appear as a 

litigant if represented by a guardian ad litem. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c). The Local Rules 

instruct:

Upon commencement of an action or upon initial appearance in 

defense of an action by or on behalf of a minor or incompetent 

person, the attorney representing the minor or incompetent person 

Case 1:16-cv-00564-SAB Document 3 Filed 04/25/16 Page 1 of 3
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shall present (1) appropriate evidence of a representative for the 

minor or incompetent person under state law or (2) a motion for 

the appointment of a guardian ad litem by the Court, or, (3) a 

showing satisfactory to the Court that no such appointment is 

necessary to ensure adequate representation of the minor or 

incompetent person. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c). 

Local Rule 202(a). 

Here, Plaintiff’s counsel has not provided evidence that Plaintiff is D.S.’s representative 

under state law, and no motion has been filed with the court for the appointment of a guardian ad 

litem. Plaintiff must submit a motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem within fourteen 

days of the date of service of this order. 

The Court notes that Plaintiff filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis on April 

21, 2016. (ECF No. 2). “Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) where leave to proceed [i]n forma pauperis 

is sought to vindicate the alleged substantive rights of a minor, the financial resources of both the 

minor and the volunteer parent, next friend, or guardian ad litem should be considered in 

determining ability to pay the costs of litigation.” Williams v. Spencer, 455 F.Supp. 205, 209 

(D. Md. 1978). If Plaintiff is appointed guardian ad litem for D.S., then Plaintiff must either pay 

the filing fee or submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis with adequate information 

about the financial resources of both D.S. and Plaintiff.

The Court notes that the April 21, 2016 application to proceed in forma pauperis was not 

adequately completed. The Court may authorize the commencement of an action without 

prepayment of fees for “a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets 

such person . . . possesses [and] that the person is unable to pay such fees or give security 

thereof.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). 

In the April 21, 2016 application, Plaintiff states that she is currently employed and that

her take-home salary or wages is $1,645.00. However, Plaintiff does not state the pay period for 

the take-home salary or wages and the name and address of her employer. Plaintiff also states 

that she receives $300 in food stamps, but she does not state how often she receives that amount 

of money. Plaintiff lists four persons who are dependent on her for support, but she does not 

indicate how much she contributes to their support. An in forma pauperis application must state 

Case 1:16-cv-00564-SAB Document 3 Filed 04/25/16 Page 2 of 3
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sufficient information for the Court to determine the ability to pay the costs of litigation.

Accordingly, the Court will order Plaintiff to complete and file an Application to Proceed 

in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) – AO 239. Plaintiff must 

provide information about the financial resources of both Plaintiff and D.S. If Plaintiff is 

unwilling to complete and submit the long form application, Plaintiff must pay the filing fee in 

full.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff is DIRECTED to file a motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem within 

fourteen (14) days of the date of service of this order; 

2. Within fourteen (14) days of the date of this order, Plaintiff shall either (1) pay the 

$400.00 filing fee for this action, or (2) file a long form application to proceed in 

forma pauperis without prepayment of the fee; and

3. If Plaintiff fails to comply with this order, this action shall be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 25, 2016 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00564-SAB Document 3 Filed 04/25/16 Page 3 of 3