Guardian Ad Litem
Florida Statute 61.401 - Appointment of guardian ad litem.
In an action for dissolution of marriage, modification, parental responsibility, custody or visitation, if the court finds it is the best interest
of the child, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to act as next friend of the child, investigator or evaluator, not as attorney or advocate;
however, the guardian and the legal counsel shall not be the same person. In such actions which involve an allegation of child abuse, abandonment,
or neglect as defined in s. 39.01, which allegation is verified and determined by the court to be well-founded, the court shall appoint a guardian
ad litem for the child. The guardian ad litem shall be a party to any judicial processing from the date of the appointment until the date of discharge.
Ruth Pippin was certified by the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program in March 2004,
exceeding over 100 children at one time and 25 volunteers. (Dependancy Court) As a co-founder
of Family & Court Services LLC in May 2007, she began Family Law cases independently and continues
to be a court appointed Guardian ad Litem at the present time. She takes each case serious by
investigating the facts, determining the proper recommendations, and reporting to the court without bias.
