Opinion ID: 1119367
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: the guardian ad litem

Text: [6] The guardian ad litem serves an important safeguard function. Appointed during the guardianship proceeding, a guardian ad litem represents the best interests of the incompetent. RCW 11.88.090. To fulfill this role, the statute requires such a person be free of influence from anyone interested in the result of the proceeding. RCW 11.88.090(2)(a). Among the guardian ad litem's duties enumerated in the statute is the duty to provide the court with a written evaluation of the appropriateness of the guardian ... whose appointment is sought. RCW 11.88.090(3)(b)(ii). Under circumstances such as these, this evaluation should focus on the closeness of the relationship between the petitioning party and the incompetent, and any evidence of less than salutary motives. The guardian ad litem need not necessarily play an adversarial role with respect to the guardian's petition; his role is rather to ensure that the incompetent's interests are being protected. While the petition is pending, the guardian ad litem has the authority to consent to emergency lifesaving medical services. RCW 11.88.090(5). Upon the appointment of a guardian, all authority to act on behalf of the incompetent shifts to the guardian ( see RCW 11.92.040) and, as judicial intervention in each substantive decision regarding life sustaining treatment is not required, the guardian ad litem would be dismissed at this time. See RCW 11.88.090(6). If judicial intervention subsequent to the guardianship appointment is required, however, a guardian ad litem would again be appointed to protect the interests of the incompetent in that proceeding. See part V(D), infra. The guardian ad litem's function in this context would be to discover all the facts relevant to the decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment and present them to the court. Such facts would include, but are not necessarily limited to: (a) facts about the incompetent, i.e., age, cause of incompetency, relationship with family members and other close friends, attitude and prior statements concerning life sustaining treatment; (b) medical facts, i.e., prognosis for recovery, intrusiveness of treatment, medical history; (c) facts concerning the State's interest in preserving life, i.e., the existence of dependents, other third party interests; and (d) facts about the guardian, the family, other people close to the incompetent, and the petitioner, i.e., their familiarity with the incompetent, their perceptions of the incompetent's wishes, any potential for ill motives. Thus, the guardian ad litem would not necessarily play a true adversarial role, but would serve as an investigator and a reporter of relevant facts to the court. [6]