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Guardian Ad Litem


In cases where a party is an unemancipated minor or is incapacitated or financially incapable (as defined in ORS 125.005) and does not already have a guardian or conservator, the person shall appear by a guardian ad litem (GAL) appointed by the court.
Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure (ORCP) 27

Guardian Ad Litem Information

​If the person needing a guardian ad litem (GAL) is a minor child who is age 14 or over, they are the applicant and will need to fill out the paperwork asking the court to appoint a GAL on their behalf.

If the person needing a GAL is a minor child who is under the age of 14, a relative or friend of the minor, or other interested person is the applicant and will need to fill out the paperwork asking the court to appoint a GAL on behalf of the child. 

If the person filing the case is incapacitated or financially incapable, a relative or friend of the minor, or other interested person is the applicant and will need to fill out the paperwork asking the court to appoint a GAL on behalf of person who is incapacitated or financially incapable. 

Within seven (7) days of filing the paperwork for appointment of guardian ad litem, the GAL must provide Notice of Motion Seeking Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem to certain people. The Notice form is included in the packet and the instructions identify who needs to be sent a copy of the Notice. 

If there is a good reason to NOT be required to send Notice to the required people, you can ask the court to waive or modify (change) this requirement by filling out the appropriate Waive/Modify Notice of Guardian Ad Litem packet listed in the table below. 

If the judge doesn’t waive or modify the notice requirement, you will have to provide notice.​

​If any objections to the appointment are filed, the court will hold a hearing. You will receive notice of the hearing date, time, and location. Make sure the court always has current contact information for you.​


Guardian Ad Litem Forms

This page contains many forms that are specific for the Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Note: If there are two versions of any form, select the Clackamas version.  
IMPORTANT: When selecting forms from the table below, use the form that has the same caption style as the case in which you’re filing. Either “In the Matter of” or “Petitioner/Plaintiff v. Respondent/Defendant.”