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GDN M 409

Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem or a Court Visitor for a Child

Washington · Washington State Courts · Effective January 1, 2024

This form is used by the court to officially appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or a Court Visitor for children in a minor guardianship case. It details the appointed person's duties, the information they can access, and how their fees will be handled.

Open the official PDFfrom Washington State Courts

Where this fits in a case

Judgment

Stage: Judgment

This form is used when the court needs to appoint a GAL or Court Visitor to help represent the interests of children in a minor guardianship case.

Prepared by the court or clerk.

Common questions

Who fills out this form?
The form is used by the court to make the appointment, though parties sign sections to authorize information release.
What does the appointed person do?
The appointed GAL or Visitor has duties that include representing the children's best interests, investigating issues, and filing a report with the court.
Do the parties have to pay for this?
The form includes sections for determining how the GAL/Visitor's fees will be paid, which can be by the petitioner, a parent, or the county.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2024.

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