In re J.C.

735 N.E.2d 848
Indiana Court of Appeals·Decided September 29, 2000·No. No. 32A05-9909-JV-426·Published·Cited by 9 cases

Opinion

OPINION

SHARPNACK, Chief Judge

The Hendricks County Office of Family and Children (“HCOFC”) appeals the trial court’s order requiring it to pay the fees of the court appointed guardian ad litem (“GAL”) in a child in need of services (“CHINS”) proceeding. The sole issue raised is whether the trial court erred in requiring the HCOFC to pay the GAL’s fees. We affirm.

The relevant facts follow. On June 11, 1998, the trial court found one year old J.C. to be a CHINS and appointed Dan Zielinski to serve as the GAL. The trial court further ordered the GAL “to determine visitation, if any.” Record, p. 71. At some point thereafter, the GAL submitted to the HCOFC a request for payment of his services with respect to J.C.’s case in the amount of $492.00. The HCOFC responded by filing a motion, which was later amended, entitled “Amended Request for Order Terminating Liability for Guardian Ad Litem” on July 13, 1999. Record, p. 11. In the motion, the HCOFC alleged that there is no legislative authority pro[849] viding for HCOFC to pay for such services, that the entity required to pay the GAL fees is the county fiscal body, and that the payment of the GAL fees by the HCOFC would create a conflict of interest. Following a hearing on the motion, the trial court ordered the HCOFC to pay the GAL as requested.

Because the HCOFC had the burden of proof at trial and an adverse judgment was entered against it, the HCOFC is appealing from a negative judgment. J.W. v. Hendricks County Office of Family & Children, 697 N.E.2d 480, 481 (Ind.Ct.App.1998). A party appealing from a negative judgment must show that the evidence points unerringly to a conclusion opposite that reached by the trial court. Id. We will reverse a negative judgment on appeal only if the decision of the trial court is contrary to law. Id. at 482. In determining whether a negative judgment is contrary to law, we neither reweigh evidence nor judge the credibility of witnesses, and consider only the evidence most favorable to the prevailing party, together with all reasonable inferences flowing therefrom. Id.

The question of whether a county office of family and children is required to pay GAL fees in a CHINS proceeding is a question that has not yet been addressed by this court. The purpose of appointing a GAL is to represent and protect the best interests of the child and to provide the child with services requested by the court such as researching, examining, advocating, facilitating, and monitoring the child’s situation. Ind.Code § 31-9-2-50. Although Ind.Code § 31-34-10-3 sets forth the circumstances under which appointment of a GAL in a CHINS case is mandatory and when it is discretionary, it makes no mention of how the GAL is to be paid for its services. See Ind.Code § 31-34-10-3. Nevertheless, the companion provisions of Ind.Code §§ 31-32-3-1 and 31-32-3-9 provide that the juvenile court may appoint a GAL at any time and that “[i]f any fees arise, payment shall be made under IC 31-40.” Ind.Code §§ 31-32-3-1, 31-32-3-9. Therefore, we look to Ind. Code § 31-40 to determine who bears responsibility for payment of the GAL fees. See E.P. v. Marion County Office of Family & Children, 653 N.E.2d 1026, 1034 (Ind. Ct.App.1995) (noting that when two statutes address the same subject matter, they are to be construed consistently and harmoniously if possible).

Ind.Code § 31-40-1-2 provides:

(a) The county shall pay from the county family and children’s fund the cost of:
(1) any services ordered by the juvenile court for any child or the child’s parent, guardian or custodian, other than secure detention; and
(2) returning a child under IC 31-37-23.
(b) The county fiscal body shall provide sufficient money to meet the court’s requirements.

Ind. Code § 31-40-1-2. Here, the appointment of the GAL and the GAL’s subsequent investigation into the propriety and frequency of visitation between J.C. and his parents was undeniably a service to J.C. Therefore, it appears that there is a statutory basis for ordering the HCOFC to pay the GAL’s bill for services rendered. See I.C. § 31-40-1-2.

The HCOFC argues, however, that “where each county has a[GAL] fund which is designed to pay for [GALs] in CHINS cases or in cases where there are issues of child abuse or neglect, it should never be the Office of Family and Children’s responsibility to pay for the [GAL].” Appellant’s Brief, p. 8. Specifically, the HCOFC, citing to Ind.Code § 33-2.1-7-3.1, contends that “the county fiscal body along with the division of state court administration [has] established a[GAL] fund which is to be used in proceedings such as [850] this.” 1 Appellant’s Brief, p. 9. Thus, the HCOFC concludes that the “Hendricks County Guardian Ad Litem fund” is the entity with responsibility for payment of the GAL in this case.2 Appellant’s Brief, p. 13. Appellant’s Brief, p. 13.

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In re J.C., 735 N.E.2d 848 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).

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