A guardian ad litem is a person, usually, a lawyer, appointed by the court to evaluate the settlement for fairness as well as assist the minor and family in making decisions as to how to invest the funds in order to best protect them until the minor is at least 18.  The role of the guardian ad litem is to look at the facts of the case and decide whether the settlement is reasonable and whether the lawyer for the minor’s representative carried out his role by negotiating the best possible settlement, reducing medical liens, and otherwise protecting the minor’s rights.  If the guardian ad litem is satisfied as to the above, he/she then looks at any future needs the child may have as a result of the personal injuries sustained and checks to see that the settlement provides for this (if possible). Lastly, the guardian ad litem looks for ways to invest and/or protect any remaining funds so that they will go to the minor’s benefit and not be spent unwisely or taken by the parents.