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Legal Information: Michigan

Custody

Updated: 
March 27, 2024

What is a lawyer-guardian ad litem?

Michigan law allows the judge to appoint a lawyer-guardian ad litem for your child if s/he believes the child’s best interests are not being appropriately represented in the custody case.1 This lawyer-guardian ad litem would represent your child during the court case and may file a written report and recommendations for the judge. This report will not be admitted into evidence, which means the judge cannot use it to inform his/her custody decision, unless all parties agree to it being admitted. However, even if it’s not admitted into evidence, the parents may use the report to try to reach an agreement.2 The parents may need to pay part or all of the costs and fees related to the work of the lawyer-guardian ad litem.3

1 MCL § 722.24(2)
2 MCL § 722.24(3)
3 MCL § 722.24(4)

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