A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by a court to represent the best interests of a child or an incapacitated person during a specific legal case.

Unlike a general guardian or conservator, a guardian ad litem serves only for the duration and scope of the lawsuit or court proceeding. The appointment is common in custody disputes, adoption cases, abuse or neglect matters, probate proceedings, and civil injury cases involving minors. The guardian ad litem investigates facts, reviews records, interviews relevant people, and gives the court an independent recommendation focused on the protected person's welfare rather than the preferences of either parent, insurer, or litigant.

That role can materially affect the outcome of a case. In family court, a guardian ad litem may influence decisions on legal custody, physical custody, visitation, or whether a proposed settlement protects a child's interests. In a personal injury claim, a guardian ad litem may be appointed when a minor is hurt in a crash or other accident and a court must approve a settlement. That can matter when injuries are serious, future care is uncertain, or insurance funds are limited.

In Hawaii, family courts may appoint a guardian ad litem in custody-related proceedings under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 571-46 (2024) when needed to protect the child's best interests. The appointment does not give permanent parental rights; it creates a case-specific duty to the court and the child.