(SS) Van Groningen v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SHELLY VITALI VAN GRONINGEN, on ) Case No.: 1:21-cv-1377 - JLT behalf of minor M.A.V., ) ) ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO APPOINT Plaintiff, ) SHELLY VITALI VAN GRONINGEN AS v. ) GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR MINOR PLAINTIFF ) M.A.V. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, ) Acting Commissioner of Social Security, ) (Doc. 2) ) Defendant. ) )

On September 10, 2021, Shelly Vitali Van Groningen initiated this action on behalf of her son, M.A.V., for judicial review of the administrative decision denying benefits for M.A.V. (Doc. 3) In addition, Ms. Van Groningen seeks appointment as the guardian ad litem of M.A.V. (Doc. 2) For the reasons set forth below, the motion is GRANTED. I. Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “[a] minor . . . who does not have a duly appointed representative may sue by a next friend or by a guardian ad litem.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). In addition, a court “must appoint a guardian ad litem - or issue another appropriate order - to protect a minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented in an action.” Id. The capacity of an individual to sue is determined “by the law of the individual’s domicile.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(b). Here, Plaintiff resides in Fresno County, California (Doc. 3 at 2), and the law of the state governs. Under California law, an individual under the age of eighteen is a minor, and a minor may bring suit if a guardian conducts the proceedings. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6502, 6601. The Court may appoint a guardian ad litem may to represent the minor’s interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(a). In determining whether to appoint a particular guardian ad litem, the court must consider whether the minor and the guardian have divergent interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(b)(1). “When there is a potential conflict between a perceived parental responsibility and an obligation to assist the court in achieving a just and speedy determination of the action, a court has the right to select a guardian ad litem who is not a parent if that guardian would best protect the child’s interests.” Williams v. Super. Ct., 147 Cal. App. 4th 36, 38 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th 2007) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “[I]f the parent has an actual or potential conflict of interest with his child, the parent has no right to control or influence the child's litigation.” Id. at 50. II. Discussion and Analysis Plaintiff is the six-year-old child of Shelly Vitali Van Groningen (Doc. 1 at 2). As a minor (See Cal. Fam. Code § 6502), his ability to bring suit is contingent upon appointment by the court of a guardian ad litem. Upon review of the First Amended Complaint, it does not appear there are adverse interests, because the only claims are asserted on Plaintiff’s behalf. (See Doc. 3) Accordingly, appointment of Shelly Vitali Van Groningen as guardian ad litem is appropriate. See Burke v. Smith, 252 F.3d 1260, 1264 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Generally, when a minor is represented by a parent who is a party to the lawsuit and who has the same interests as the child there is no inherent conflict of interest.”); see also Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37669, at *7 (E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007) (observing “[a] parent is generally appointed guardian ad litem”). III. Conclusion and Order The decision whether to appoint a guardian ad litem is “normally left to the sound discretion of the trial court.” United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, etc., 795 F.2d 796, 804 (9th Cir. 1986). Here, it does not appear Shelly Vitali Van Groningen has conflicting interests with Plaintiff, and as such may be appointed to represent the interests of her son. Therefore, the Court is acting within its discretion to grant the petition. Based upon the foregoing, the Court ORDERS: 1. The motion for appointment of Shelly Vitali Van Groningen guardian ad litem for Plaintiff M.A.V. (Doc. 2) is GRANTED; and 2. Shelly Vitali Van Groningen is appointed to act as guardian ad litem for Plaintiff M.A.V., and is authorized to prosecute this action on his behalf.

Dated: September 17, 2021 _ /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE