SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1994 SESSION
WHEREAS, the child victims of abuse and neglect are appointed a guardian ad litem to represent their best interest in court proceedings; and
WHEREAS, these child victims are dependent upon the guardian ad litem to prevent them from further victimization by the justice system; and
WHEREAS, compensation for attorneys who practice as guardians ad litem varies from state to state; and
WHEREAS, the national average hourly compensation rate is $50; and
WHEREAS, in Virginia, guardians ad litem can be paid a maximum of $60 for in-court and $40 for out-of-court expenses; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent opinion of the Court of Appeals and opinions of the Attorney General, there is no limit on the total compensation a guardian ad litem can receive; and
WHEREAS, recent analyses show that the compensation allowed guardians ad litem varies tremendously from one jurisdiction to another; and
WHEREAS, some localities compensate at a blanket $100 per case; others impose their own ceilings; and
WHEREAS, to attract competent attorneys willing to serve as guardians ad litem, the compensation must be at least adequate and consistent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Judicial Council of Virginia, through judicial guidelines, be requested to encourage all juvenile and domestic relations district court judges to be consistent in their approval of payment of guardian ad litem work at a rate of $60 per hour for in-court time and $40 per hour for out-of-court time with no ceiling for documented hours.
#NS