Guardian ad Litem

N.C. Guardian ad Litem logo - A Child's Advocate in Court

Get Involved

How Can I Help?

Making a difference in the lives of people, especially abused and neglected children.

What is a GAL?

A trained community volunteer paired with an attorney to advocate for the best interests of children in the community.

Volunteer as a GAL

Guardian ad Litem provides a unique volunteer opportunity for people with a sincere concern for the well-being of children.

Volunteer as an Attorney Advocate

GAL pro bono attorneys are vital appellate advocates for children.

How Does the Community Benefit?

Communities have a stake in deciding what the standard of protection and care is for children.

GAL Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Guardian ad Litem (GAL) .

Local Guardian ad Litem Programs

Find for your local program by county or district.

About

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program equips community volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court.

In 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Office of Guardian ad Litem Services as a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Pursuant to G.S. 7B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child, who has full party status in trial and appellate proceedings. All GAL advocates are trained, supervised, and supported by program staff in each county of the state. The collaborative model of GAL attorney advocates, volunteers, and staff ensures that all North Carolina children who are alleged by the Department of Social Services to have been abused or neglected receive GAL legal advocacy services.

Learn more about the program

Guardian ad Litem Districts Map