Opinion ID: 1608613
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: do special reasons exist?

Text: The guardians ad litem argue that three grounds exist for concluding that special reasons exist: (1) a conflict between their roles as guardians ad litem and counsel for J.K.; (2) procedural due process required the appointment of separate counsel; and (3) the legal and social interests of J.K., as determined by the guardians ad litem, conflicted. A judicial abuse of discretion exists when a judge, within the effective limits of authorized judicial power, elects to act or refrains from acting, and the selected option results in a decision which is untenable and unfairly deprives a litigant of a substantial right or a just result in matters submitted for disposition through a judicial system. Gallner v. Hoffman, 264 Neb. 995, 653 N.W.2d 838 (2002). On the record before us, the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to find that special reasons existed requiring the appointment of separate counsel.