FAQs

A GAL is a Guardian ad Litem, which means guardian at law. A GAL typically represents the interests or wishes, or both, of children in juvenile court proceedings, but sometimes a GAL can be appointed for a vulnerable adult, in adult court, too. A GAL in Wyoming must be an attorney, even though other states do not require this. A GAL is not an advocate, caretaker, or legal guardian for someone. A GAL can be appointed in abuse, neglect (sometimes known as child welfare or dependency cases), termination of parental rights (TPR), children in need of supervision (CHINS), delinquency, divorce, custody, guardianship, conservatorship, or adult protection proceedings and all appellate proceedings filed as a result of these cases. Although all of these cases may have a GAL appointed, not all of these cases are the responsibility of the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem. The  Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem cannot be appointed to any private matter. Our Agency can only be appointed to abuse and neglect cases, TPR cases, some CHINS or delinquency cases, and all appellate proceedings filed as a result of these cases. For more information on these cases and the enabling statutes, please view our Legal Resources page.

The Wyoming Statutes specify the cases in which the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem can represent clients, and the Agency is prohibited from providing GAL representation in any other type of case.

Appointment of GALs in divorce, custody, guardianship, conservatorship, adult protection and other cases are appointed according to the common practices of your local community or county. Sometimes a judge keeps a list of GALs and will automatically appoint one from their list. Sometimes a judge will ask you or your attorney to find a GAL you are comfortable with. You should discuss this with your attorney. Please note; the costs of these attorneys are not the responsibility of the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem.

A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate. In some Wyoming counties, a child can have both a GAL and a CASA. A CASA is not an attorney and is not appointed to look out for the child's legal interests. CASAs are lay advocates who volunteer their time to help children and families. Wyoming Juvenile Court Rules state that CASAs can only be appointed in abuse and neglect proceedings. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children to ensure they don't get lost in the legal and social service system or get stuck in inappropriate placements. Volunteers report to the Judge and stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

GALs represent children or vulnerable adults in one of four different ways. Nationally, there are four representation models which also exist in some form in Wyoming depending on the type of case to which the GAL is appointed. The Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem has adopted the hybrid model of representation for all abuse and neglect cases. This means the GAL should represent both the child's best interests and the child's wishes at the same time. For CHINS and delinquency cases, if the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem  is appointed in addition to a direct representation attorney, the GAL represents the child's best interests only, using the best interests model of representation. 

The Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem provides contact information for all Agency GALs on our Contact Us page. For GALs not part of the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem, please refer the Wyoming State Bar Association’s membership directory to find an attorney in your community. 

All clients of the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem have legal rights to confidentiality. Even the fact that the child is a client is confidential. Client or case information cannot be discussed with anyone not affiliated with the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem.

The Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem cares about your concerns. We know it is important to provide you with a means of communicating your concerns to Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem Administrative Staff. If you have any concerns regarding your child's GAL, please contact the GAL's supervisor. 

Wyoming statute does not allow for the automatic appointment of GALs in delinquency cases. If the judge finds that the parents’ interests are adverse to the child or the parents are not present, a GAL from the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem will be appointed. Until the court makes these findings, the Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem cannot be involved.

The Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem cannot provide legal advice on any private matter to any individual for any reason. We suggest contacting an attorney in your community. If you need assistance finding an attorney in your community, you can contact the Wyoming State Bar Association. 

The Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem cannot provide recommendations for any attorney. Please contact the Wyoming State Bar Association. 

The Wyoming Office of Guardian ad Litem does not provide GAL representation in civil custody matters. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Wyoming State Bar Association.