• July 21, 2026

     

    Guardians ad litem play an important role in adult, child, and family matters. A GAL provides recommendations to the court that shape decisions involving adult and minor guardianships, protective placement, physical placement, and legal custody, among other matters.

    If you already are a guardian ad litem (GAL), thank you for using your skill, knowledge, and experience in making best-interest recommendations for the vulnerable populations whose cases you are appointed in.

    GAL work can be incredibly demanding, time-consuming, and weighty. As a GAL, you have the privilege of providing those meaningful, informed recommendations to the court that has the ability to change a family’s trajectory.

    This work is incredibly important, and has a lasting impact on those you are involved with.

    Becoming a Guardian ad Litem

    To accept GAL appointments in Wisconsin, an attorney needs to meet specific eligibility requirements outlined by Supreme Court Rules (SCR) and Wisconsin statutes. To accept appointments in family court cases, the attorney must have at least nine hours of GAL education during the combined current reporting period and the immediately preceding reporting period. At least three hours of these CLE credits must address family violence (SCR 35.015).

    Bridget A. Kinderman headshot
    Bridget A. Kinderman, Mitchell Hamline 2021, founded 7K Consulting, LLC, in Fall Creek in 2024. She focuses her practice on court appointments as guardian ad litem in adult and minor matters.

    The requirements to accept appointments for adults are similar to those outlined above. An attorney may accept appointments if any of the following conditions are met:

    • the attorney has attended 30 hours of GAL education;
    • the attorney has attended six hours of GAL education during the combined current reporting period and the immediately preceding reporting period; or
    • the appointing court has determined that the attorney is qualified by experience or expertise (SCR 36.01).

    Thanks to technology, the courses required are readily available and the courses are informative and may assist you in other areas of your practice.

    For complete details on becoming a GAL, please visit and review the
    Wisconsin Supreme Court rules.

    Being a Guardian ad Litem

    A GAL’s responsibility, involvement, and duration of service are with the case is defined by the type of case the GAL is appointed to. The Order Appointing GAL (OAG) may contain guidance as to the scope of the appointment. The OAG may also authorize the GAL to access to certain types of records.

    The State Bar PINNACLE® has both books and CLE programs on guardians ad litem. The
    Guardian ad Litem Handbook (forms included) has a chapter on GALs in family court, among others. For training and detailed information,
    see WisBar’s Marketplace for the most recent CLE programs and books.

    In many counties, GALs receive court appointments on a case-by-case basis. These attorneys earn a set county-rate fee (around $100 per hour). The attorney must keep track of their time and submit a motion and order for payment at the conclusion of the case (or in the interim pending the local practice and authorization of the court).

    In some counties, contracted GALs are appointed on a rotating basis for a set fee. Counties with contract GALs agree to pay their attorneys a set amount of money regardless of the attorney’s caseload. This is a more common practice in counties with higher caseloads (for example, Kenosha and Racine counties have contract GALs).

    As a GAL, you act as an investigator, interviewing people, reviewing records, and gathering information. Depending on the appointment, you may be asked to prepare a report to the court. In guardianship and protective placement cases, there are state forms that the GAL is statutorily required to complete prior to the hearing.

    A GAL also needs to provide a recommendation to the court. In family court cases, Wis. Stat. section 767.41(5) provides a framework of factors the court considers when making a custody and placement determination.

    Why I Am a GAL

    My favorite part of being a GAL is participating in hearings and advocating for the best interests of my wards.

    I have found that being a GAL has provided me with the opportunity to meet a variety of people, learn about different lifestyles and cultures, and engage with my wards. I enjoy kids the most and look forward to my meetings with them. As GAL I also have the added benefit of getting to know and work with various community partners, local resources, and businesses.

    It can be overwhelming to always be working with individuals who are at a stressful point in their lives, but in my experience the good days outweigh the bad.

    We Need You

    If you are already a GAL, again, thank you. You are appreciated!

    If you are not one, please consider becoming one. The requirements to become a GAL are attainable! The Supreme Court rules give full details on the requirements in the rules outlined above.

    GAL work is important and rewarding; you engage with a variety of individuals, children, and families, and you make a difference in your community.

    This article was originally published on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Children & the Law Section Blog. Visit the State Bar sections or the Children & the Law Section webpages to learn more about the benefits of section membership.