Top 10 FAQ's - Guardian ad Litem Program for Children

1. What are the basic requirements to become qualified as a guardian ad litem for children?

• Be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar.
• Complete the 7 hour required course, "Representation of Children as a Guardian ad Litem" offered by Virginia CLE, and submit the CLE certification of attendance form to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. There are no substitutions for this course.
• Have a nomination form signed, either by a juvenile court judge or by a qualified guardian ad litem with whom you have associated as a mentor, and submit the form to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Send a letter to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia requesting qualification, certifying your case experience, and including your social security number.

2. What constitutes the experience requirement?

Within the past three years, as an attorney or 3rd year law student, you must have either:
• participated in at least four cases in the juvenile court involving children, excluding traffic cases; or
• associated with a qualified GAL in two cases in the juvenile court involving children, excluding traffic cases.

3. What three things does the Supreme Court of VA need in order to complete my application?

• A certification of attendance form for the Virginia CLE course "Representation of Children as a Guardian ad Litem",
• A nomination form signed by a juvenile judge if your experience is in four court cases, or a nomination form signed by a qualified guardian ad litem if your experience is associating, as mentor, with this GAL on two cases.
• A letter requesting qualification, certifying your experience and including your social security number.

4. Where do I obtain the necessary forms?

Forms will be included in the notebook provided at the initial required course, in the section directly behind the table of contents.

5. For what period of time is my initial qualification valid?

The initial qualification is valid for a period of two years.

6. How do I maintain my qualification as a guardian ad litem for children?

• Complete six (6) hours of approved continuing education every two (2) years on topics relating to the representation of children as a GAL.
• File a certification of attendance form with the Supreme Court for each approved course.

7. How will I know if a course has been approved for credit?

If a course is not advertised as having been approved for GAL credit, call 804-786-5304 for verification. If the course is not yet on the approved list you will be asked to submit a table of contents or summary of course contents to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia for review.

8. Can CLE hours be carried over to the next qualification period?

Yes, a maximum of six hours may be carried over from one two-year period to the next two-year period.

9. May I take the initial course to become a GAL before I learn the results of my Bar Exam?

Yes, but you may not complete your qualification as a GAL before you are licensed.

10. Where else on-line may I find information about this program?

Go to www.courts.state.va.us. On this home page, click on "Publications". One of the entries listed is "Standards to Govern the Appointment of Guardians Ad Litem (Children)".

Top 10 FAQ's - Guardian ad Litem Program for Incapacitated Persons

1. What are the basic requirements to become qualified as a guardian ad litem for incapacitated persons?

• Be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar.
• Complete the 6 hour required course, "Representation of Incapacitated Persons as a Guardian ad Litem" offered by Virginia CLE, and submit the CLE certification of attendance form to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. There are no substitutions for this course.
• Send a letter to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia requesting qualification, including your social security number and certifying your case experience (or attach a nomination form) as described in the paragraph below.

2. What constitutes the experience requirement?

Complete one of the following in the two-year period prior to seeking qualification:
1. serve as a guardian ad litem or provide assistance to a GAL for an incapacitated person in two cases in the circuit court; or
2. serve as counsel for the petitioner in two cases involving an incapacitated person in the circuit court; or
3. be appointed by the circuit court as a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated person in two cases.

In lieu of the above, demonstrate proficiency by having a nomination form signed by a circuit court judge before whom you have appeared and submit the form to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

3. What two things does the Supreme Court of VA need in order to complete my application?

• A certification of attendance form for the Virginia CLE course "Representation of Incapacitated Persons as a Guardian Ad Litem", and
• a letter requesting qualification, including your social security number and certifying your experience (or in lieu of the experience certification, attaching a nomination form signed by a circuit court judge before whom you have appeared or a nomination form signed by the GAL with whom you worked on two cases).

4. Where do I obtain the necessary forms?

Forms will be included in the back of the notebook provided at the initial required course.

5. For what period of time is my initial qualification valid?

The initial qualification is valid for a period of two years.

6. How do I maintain my qualification as a guardian ad litem for incapacitated persons?

• Complete six (6) hours of approved continuing education every two (2) years on topics relating to the representation of incapacitated persons as a GAL.
• File a certification of attendance form with the Supreme Court for each approved course.

7. How will I know if a course has been approved for credit?

If a course is not advertised as having been approved for GAL credit, call 804-786-5304 for verification. If the course is not yet on the approved list, you will be asked to submit a table of contents or summary of course contents to the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia for review.

8. Can CLE hours be carried over to the next qualification period?

Yes, a maximum of six hours may be carried over from one two-year period to the next two-year period.

9. May I take the initial course to become a GAL before I learn the results of my Bar Exam?

Yes, but you may not complete your qualification as a GAL before you are licensed.

10. Where else on-line may I find information about this program?

Go to www.courts.state.va.us. On this home page, click on "Publications". One of the entries listed is "Standards to Govern the Appointment of Guardians Ad Litem for Incapacitated Persons (Adults)".