Court Visitor / Guardian ad Litem Title 11.130 - Adult Guardianship or Conservatorship

Roles & Responsibilities


A court visitor/ guardian ad litem (GAL) is an adult who is appointed by the court to represent the best interests of an individual for a specific purpose for a specific period of time. Under the direction of the court, a GAL performs an investigation and prepares a report for the court of the GAL's findings and recommendations. The GAL's responsibilities and duties are set forth by statute, court rule and the order appointing the GAL.


Title 11.130 Court Visitor / GALs Cases (previously under RCW 11.88)


Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 11.130 GALs are often appointed to represent the best interests of incapacitated persons before the court in an Adult Guardianship or Conservatorship.


Pierce County Superior Court maintains a registry for Title 11 Court Visitors / GALs to be appointed in an Adult Guardianship or Conservatorship. The Court will select the next Court Visitor / Guardian ad Litem on the registry list for insertion into the Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem when presented to the Court. If the alleged incapacitated person is indigent the selection shall be made from the Guardians ad Litem / Court Visitors who have contracted to serve in this capacity with Pierce County Superior Court.



Forms and related documents