Legal Professionals

The Developmental Disabilities Council’s Office of Guardianship (OOG) provides legal services to request the State District Court to appoint a Family or Professional Guardian for eligible adults who need a Guardian.

The legal services comprise of a Petitioning Attorney (PET), Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and Court Visitor (CV).

• The PET petitions the State District Court (court) for appointment of a guardian for an individual who is alleged to be incapacitated. A petition is a formal request made to the court seeking appointment of guardianship for an adult in need of protection.
• GAL is an attorney that is appointed by the court to represent and protect the rights of the individual from whom guardianship is proposed. The GAL is required to interview the adult in need of protection and provide a written report to the court.
• CV is usually a social worker or similar professional who is appointed by the court. The CV is required to interview the adult in need of protection and provide a written report to the court.