The Voice of a Child in Court

The Guardian ad Litem Program is a State Agency managed under the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The 28th Judicial District encompasses Buncombe County.

A Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent the "Best Interests" of a child who is involved in court proceedings as a result of having been abused or neglected. The Guardian ad Litem Volunteer conducts an independent investigation of the facts of the case and makes recommendations to the court.

The Guardian ad Litem is the "voice of the child". The term Guardian ad Litem means "guardian for the case". Therefore, a GAL is not a foster parent, legal guardian, or expected to provide a home for the child. The volunteer GAL is paired with an Attorney Advocate who is appointed to represent the legal interests of the child and attends court with the GAL.

Please contact the GAL office at (828) 251-6130 or e-mail us at info@galbuncombe.org if you are interested in speaking for the most vulnerable children in Buncombe County.

NC State
Guardians ad Litem