Skip to content
LitigationForms
12.942(a)

Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem

Florida · Florida Supreme Court · Effective November 1, 2015

This form is used to ask the judge to appoint a guardian ad litem. A guardian ad litem is meant to represent the best interests of a minor child in a family law case.

Open the official PDFfrom Florida Supreme Court

Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This form is used by either party in a family law case involving parenting, time-sharing, or paternity of a minor child(ren) when they feel the child needs someone other than them to ensure the court and the other party act in the child's best interest.

Either party may file.

Common questions

Who can file this form?
Either party can use this form in a family law case. The form is for filing with the court clerk and keeping a copy for your records.
What happens after filing this form?
You must give a copy of this form to the other party. There might be a hearing where the judge wants to hear why the guardian ad litem is needed.
Does this form require an attorney?
No, the instructions mention that a nonlawyer can help fill out the form, but if a nonlawyer helps, they must provide a copy of a specific disclosure form.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect November 1, 2015.

Related forms

  • 12.900(a)

    Disclosure from Nonlawyer

    This form is a required statement that must be signed when someone who is not a lawyer helps you fill out any Florida Family Law Form. It makes it clear that the person helping you cannot give you legal advice or represent you in court.

    Fillable PDFWord
  • 12.914

    Certificate of Service

    This form is used to prove that you have given copies of documents you filed to the other person in the case. It asks you to state how and when you sent the copies.

    Fillable PDFWord
  • 12.915

    Designation of Current Address and E-mail Address

    This form is used to tell the court and the other person in the case what your current mailing and email addresses are. It asks you to list a primary email and up to two backup emails for receiving official papers.

    Fillable PDFWord
  • 12.923

    Notice of Hearing (General)

    This form is a general notice that tells people about a scheduled court hearing. It provides details like the date, time, and location of the hearing.

    Fillable PDFWord
  • 12.942(b)

    Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem

    This form is an official court order used to officially appoint a Guardian ad Litem. It details the appointment and outlines the guardian's powers and responsibilities regarding the minor child(ren) in the case.

    Fillable PDFWord