Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00672/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00672-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DIANNA REGALADO, as successor in 

interest to decedent RAYMOND 

REGALADO,

Plaintiff,

v.

FRESNO COUNTY, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-00672-KES-BAM

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD 

LITEM

(Doc. 54)

 Currently before the Court is the petition for appointment of Natyshja Alvarez as guardian 

ad litem for C.R.A., a minor. (Doc. 54.)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17 provides that “[t]he 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.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). This requires a district court to take 

whatever measures it deems proper to protect the individual during litigation. United States v. 

30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th Cir. 1986). In pertinent part, Local Rule 202(a) of 

this Court further states:

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 shall present . . . a motion for the appointment of 

a guardian ad litem by the Court, or . . . a showing satisfactory to the Court that no 

such appointment is necessary to ensure adequate representation of the minor or 

incompetent person. 

Case 1:23-cv-00672-KES-BAM Document 60 Filed 11/08/24 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

See L.R. 202(a). The decision to appoint a guardian ad litem “must normally be left to the sound 

discretion of the trial court.” 30.64 Acres, 795 F.2d at 804. 

“[W]hen a parent brings an action on behalf of a child, and it is evident that the interests 

of each are the same, no need exists for someone other than the parent to represent the child’s 

interests under Rule 17(c).” H.D.A. v. County of Stanislaus, No. 1:22-cv-00384-DAD-SAB, 2022 

WL 992990, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 1, 2022) (quoting Gonzalez v. Reno, 86 F. Supp. 2d 1167, 1185 

(S.D. Fla.), aff'd, 212 F.3d 1338 (11th Cir. 2000)). “While a parent is generally appointed as a 

guardian ad litem, there are situations where the best interests of the minor and the interests of the 

parent conflict.” Id. (citing Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, No. 1:06-cv-01165 AWI NEW (TAG), 

2007 WL 1390672, at *2 (E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007)). Therefore, a parent is not entitled as a matter 

of right to act as guardian ad litem for the child. Id.

The Court has considered the petition and finds no apparent conflict that would preclude 

Plaintiff C.R.A.’s mother from serving as guardian ad litem. The petition indicates the following: 

(1) Natyshja Alvarez is the natural mother of C.R.A, a minor; (2) C.R.A. resides with her at the 

same address; (3) she is a competent and responsible adult, qualified to become the guardian ad 

litem; and (4) she has no interest adverse to the rights of C.R.A. (Doc. 54.) 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Natyshja Alvarez is appointed in this action 

as guardian ad litem for C.R.A. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 8, 2024 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-00672-KES-BAM Document 60 Filed 11/08/24 Page 2 of 2