Opinion ID: 1169231
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Service Upon Guardian ad Litem.

Text: Appellant claims § 14-2-313 was violated inasmuch as the guardian ad litem was not served as required. First of all, it is important to note that there is no showing that appellant raised this issue below. Appellee claims the trial court appointed Thomas W. Barb as guardian ad litem for ARW at the pretrial conference. Appellee further claims that her counsel sent appellant's counsel an order appointing guardian ad litem to approve as to form, and that such order was never returned by appellant's counsel. There is no such order in the record. What is in the record is a report from Thomas Barb to Judge Taylor regarding ARW, wherein Mr. Barb stated: I have reviewed the file concerning the parental rights of [appellant] and have interviewed [ARW] in an effort to inform you of my opinion as to what is and will be best for [ARW]. During our conversation it became immediately obvious that this young girl is presently being well taken care of and her needs are met. She addresses [appellee's husband and appellee] as Grandpa and Grandma and openly admits that she can think of no one else with whom she would like to live. [ARW] communicated no recollection of her natural father during our conversation. [Appellant's] desires expressed in his deposition appear to be self centered and without consideration or thought given to the requirements of caring for a young girl. His desire to be a taxi driver in Los Angeles, after release from his present incarceration, typifies his nomadic lifestyle prior to his arrest and conviction. It is my opinion that [ARW] belongs with her grandparents. They offer a stable and comfortable lifestyle that [appellant] cannot presently, and did not in the past, offer his daughter. The best interests of [ARW] will be served by this Court permanently placing her with her grandparents. Respectfully submitted, s/ Thomas W. Barb Thomas W. Barb Attorney at Law Guardian ad Litem for [ARW] As shown above, Mr. Barb signed the report as guardian ad litem for ARW. This report was submitted to the court the morning of the trial. In its order terminating appellant's parental rights, the court authorized payment of a reasonable fee to the guardian ad litem. Section 14-2-313 quoted earlier states that service of the petition shall be made pursuant to the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. Jurisdiction of a civil suit is ordinarily obtained by the filing of a proper complaint and the issuance and service of a summons, Robertson v. State Highway Commission, Wyo., 450 P.2d 1003, 1004; and even if service of notice was insufficient it was waived when the defendants proceeded without objection, State ex rel. Sheehan v. District Court of Fourth Judicial District, Wyo., 426 P.2d 431, 435; Padlock Ranch v. Washakie Needles Irr. Dist., 50 Wyo. 253, 60 P.2d 819, 61 P.2d 410, 412.    Weber v. Johnston Fuel Liners, Inc., Wyo., 519 P.2d 972, 977 (1974). Furthermore, if Mr. Barb was indeed appointed guardian ad litem at the pretrial conference as appellee claims, then it is more than likely that Mr. Barb knew of the trial since the court set the trial date (May 13, 1985) in its pretrial order. The trial was held as scheduled. In Matter of Parental Rights of PP, Wyo., 648 P.2d 512 (1982), we stated a guardian ad litem should make recommendations to the court based upon the best interests of the ward. And while it is best for a guardian ad litem to express such recommendations in court where both sides may openly participate, filing a report is also acceptable practice. In representing the ward's interests, the guardian ad litem should express to the court that which he considers will further such interests. This is often done during a hearing by accepting the presentation and argument of the guardian ad litem favorable to one side or the other as the guardian ad litem believes is in the best interest of the child. Otherwise, the purpose in an appointment of a guardian ad litem would be thwarted. If the guardian ad litem were other than an attorney at law, his position on behalf of the child could be obtained only through his testimony or in some fashion other than actual participation as an attorney in the hearing. The position of a guardian ad litem who is also an attorney at law can be obtained through such actual participation, i.e., during legal argument, cross-examination of witnesses, etc. But it need not be so restricted. The position of the guardian ad litem was here presented in the form of a report `similar to a social report' in which the guardian ad litem made her recommendation. Id., at 517. In sum, there is no order appointing a guardian ad litem in the record. If no guardian was appointed, no service was required. If a guardian ad litem was in fact appointed, as indicated by the report filed and fees awarded, appellant should have objected to the allegedly insufficient service at trial. No objection was made by the guardian ad litem. The purpose of effecting proper service is to give notice. 43 C.J.S. Infants § 244, p. 637 (1978). It is noted that appellee had custody of ARW from 1982 through the time of the present action. Therefore, ARW had notice of the proceeding since her lawful guardian (appellee) instituted the action. If there was defective service, the alleged guardian ad litem waived any objection thereto by filing his report the morning of the trial. [1] It is further noted that the statutes involved, §§ 14-2-308 through 14-2-319, are for the primary benefit of the child. We find the child's interests were well represented in this case.