Pennsylvania § 5334 Guardian ad litem for child

Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 5334 — Guardian ad litem for child

Pennsylvania § 5334

Title 23DOMESTIC RELATIONS

PartPART VI

Ch. 53CHILD CUSTODY

This text of Pennsylvania § 5334 (Guardian ad litem for child) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5334 (2026).

Text

(a)Appointment.--The court may on its own motion or the motion of a party appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child in the action. The court may assess the cost upon the parties or any of them or as otherwise provided by law. The guardian ad litem must be an attorney at law.

(b)Powers and duties.--The guardian ad litem shall be charged with representation of the legal interests and the best interests of the child during the proceedings and shall do all of the following:

(1)If appropriate to the child's age and maturity, meet with the child as soon as possible following the appointment and on a regular basis thereafter.

(2)On a timely basis, be given access to relevant court records, reports of examination of the parents or other custodian of the child and medical, psycholog

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(a) Appointment.--The court may on its own motion or the motion of a party appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child in the action. The court may assess the cost upon the parties or any of them or as otherwise provided by law. The guardian ad litem must be an attorney at law.

(b) Powers and duties.--The guardian ad litem shall be charged with representation of the legal interests and the best interests of the child during the proceedings and shall do all of the following:

(1) If appropriate to the child's age and maturity, meet with the child as soon as possible following the appointment and on a regular basis thereafter.

(2) On a timely basis, be given access to relevant court records, reports of examination of the parents or other custodian of the child and medical, psychological and school records.

(3) Participate in all proceedings.

(4) Conduct such further investigation necessary to ascertain relevant facts for presentation to the court.

(5) Interview potential witnesses, including the child's parents and caretakers, if any. The guardian ad litem may examine and cross-examine witnesses and present witnesses and evidence necessary to protect the best interests of the child.

(6) Make specific recommendations in a written report to the court relating to the best interests of the child, including any services necessary to address the child's needs and safety. The court shall make the written report part of the record so that it may be reviewed by the parties. The parties may file with the court written comments regarding the contents of the report. The comments filed by the parties shall also become part of the record.

(7) Explain the proceedings to the child to the extent appropriate given the child's age, mental condition and emotional condition.

(8) Advise the court of the child's wishes to the extent that they can be ascertained and present to the court whatever evidence exists to support the child's wishes. When appropriate because of the age or mental and emotional condition of the child, determine to the fullest extent possible the wishes of the child and communicate this information to the court. A difference between the child's wishes under this paragraph and the recommendations under paragraph (6) shall not be considered a conflict of interest for the guardian ad litem.

(c) Abuse.--If substantial allegations of abuse are made, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child if:

(1) counsel for the child is not appointed under section 5335 (relating to counsel for child); and

(2) the court is satisfied that the relevant information will be presented to the court only with such appointment.

(d) Evidence subject to examination.--A guardian ad litem may not testify except as authorized by Rule 3.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, but may make legal argument based on relevant evidence that shall be subject to examination by the parties.

(e) Costs.--The court may order a party to pay all or part of the costs of appointing a guardian ad litem under this section.

(f) Education and training.--A court appointing a guardian ad litem under this section shall make reasonable efforts to appoint a guardian ad litem who received evidence-based education and training relating to child abuse, including child sexual abuse, domestic abuse education and the effect of child sexual abuse and domestic abuse on children.

Legislative History

(Apr. 15, 2024, P.L.24, No.8, eff. 120 days) 2024 Amendment.Act 8 amended subsec. (c) and added subsec. (f). See section 1 of Act 8 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to findings and declarations. Suspension by Court Rule.Section 5334 was suspended by Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 1915.25, effective April 1, 2023, insofar as it requires that a guardian ad litem be an attorney, permits the guardian ad litem to represent both the best interests and legal interests of the child, provides the guardian ad litem the right to examine, cross-examine, present witnesses and present evidence on behalf of the child, and prohibits the guardian ad litem from testifying.