Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01889/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01889-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Petition for Removal

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On February 3, 2016, Leslie J. Chance filed her applications to be appointed the guardian ad 

litem from the children, Sa.C. and S.C. (Docs. 14, 15) Because the Court finds Ms. Chance to be an 

appropriate guardian ad litem, the petition is GRANTED.

I. Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem

Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “[a] minor . . . who does not have a duly 

appointed representative may sue by a next friend or by a guardian ad litem.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). 

In addition, a court “must appoint a guardian ad litem - or issue another appropriate order - to protect a 

minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented in an action.” Id. The capacity of an individual to 

sue is determined “by the law of the individual’s domicile.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(b). 

LESLIE J. CHANCE,

 Plaintiff,

v.

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE 

COMPANY OF AMERICA,

Defendant.

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Case No.: 1:15-cv-01889 --- JLT 

ORDER GRANTING THE MOTION TO APPOINT 

LESLIE J. CHANCE AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM 

FOR SA.C. AND S.C.

(Docs. 14, 15)

AND RELATED CROSS ACTION

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Here, the children reside in California (Doc. 14 at 1; Doc 15 at 1) and the law of the state 

governs. Under California law, an individual under the age of eighteen is a minor, and a minor may 

bring suit only if a guardian conducts the proceedings. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6502, 6601. The Court 

may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(a). 

II. Discussion and Analysis

Here, Sa.C. is a 15-year-old (Doc. 14 at 1) and S.C. is a 15-year-old. (Doc. 15 at 1) Thus, under

California law, they are considered minors. See Cal. Fam. Code § 6502. As minors, their ability to 

bring pursue this action is contingent upon the appointment of a guardian ad litem. In determining 

whether to appoint a particular guardian ad litem, the court must consider whether the child and the 

guardian have divergent interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(b)(1). “When there is a potential conflict 

between a perceived parental responsibility and an obligation to assist the court in achieving a just and 

speedy determination of the action, a court has the right to select a guardian ad litem who is not a 

parent if that guardian would best protect the child’s interests.” Williams v. Super. Ct., 147 Cal. App. 

4th 36, 38 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th 2007) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “[I]f the parent has 

an actual or potential conflict of interest with his child, the parent has no right to control or influence 

the child's litigation.” Id. at 50.

Though Ms. Chance initiated this action, she now waives any claim on the insurance policy 

proceeds in favor of her three children. (Doc. 14 at 1; Doc. 15 at 1) See Burke v. Smith, 252 F.3d 1260, 

1264 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Generally, when a minor is represented by a parent who is a party to the 

lawsuit and who has the same interests as the child there is no inherent conflict of interest.”); see also 

Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37669, at *7 (E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007) 

(observing that “[a] parent is generally appointed guardian ad litem”). Thus, it does not appear there are 

adverse interests between the child and her proposed guardian ad litem.

III. Conclusion and Order

The decision whether to appoint a guardian ad litem is “normally left to the sound discretion of 

the trial court.” United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, etc., 795 F.2d 796, 804 (9th Cir. 1986). Here, it 

does not appear the proposed guardian has conflicting interests, and as such she may be appointed to 

represent the interests of the children. Therefore, the Court is acting within its discretion to grant the

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application.

Based upon the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 

1. The motions for appointment of Leslie J. Chance as guardian ad litem for Sa.C. (Doc. 

14) and S.C. (Doc. 15) are GRANTED; 

2. Leslie J. Chance is appointed to act as guardian ad litem Sa.C. and S.C., and is 

authorized to prosecute this action on their behalf.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 4, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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