Guardian ad Litem
Department Description
The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program is designed to "afford to children, who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, a 'Voice in Court.'" The revisions to Article V of the Constitution of the State of Florida impose on counties certain funding obligations for some operating expenses for the GAL Programs.
The Legislature, in response to revisions to Article V of the Constitution of the State of Florida, increased the fees for recording documents with the various clerk’s offices by $4 per page. The counties receive $2 of this amount for technological services to the court system
Core Services
The GAL is a partnership of community advocates (volunteer and professional staff) who the court appoints to represent the best interests of abused, abandoned, and neglected children. The primary duties of the GAL consist of collecting information about the child and the child’s family, advising the court on the child’s best interests, and ensuring that court orders are carried out. According to the Constitution of the State of Florida, Article V, the County is mandated to fund the information technology needs for GAL.This financial data can be found on the Court Technology - Administration page.