Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

C. Guardian ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates

A guardian ad litem may serve in both the juvenile case and the child welfare case. If the guardian ad litem is serving in both cases and is an attorney, the guardian ad litem may need to become more familiar with the juvenile proceedings.

A non-attorney guardian ad litem must be very careful not to investigate any pending juvenile charges nor offer testimony concerning the guilt or innocence of a dual status child. Questions or investigations could lead the non-attorney guardian ad litem to become a witness against the child in violation of Tex. Fam. Code 51.11.