Guardian ad Litem Training
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How do I become certified as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)?
You must first participate in an 8-hour training that conforms to the Supreme Court of Missouri Standards with Comments for Guardians ad Litem in Juvenile and Family Court Division Matters in order to become certified as a GAL. See the Standards for complete information about the appointment and duties of serving as a GAL. Standard 14.0 specifically relates to GAL training. After completing your training, you must contact your circuit clerk for further direction on how to be added to the court’s appointment list.
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What training courses are available through MoBarCLE?
MoBarCLE offers both the initial 8-hour training and the 3-hour recertification training throughout the year. Click HERE for dates and times.
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Can I obtain or continue my certification through self-study?
No. Standard 14.0 states "Any continuing legal education required by this standard shall not be completed by self-study."
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Does Guardian ad Litem training qualify for MCLE credit?
Yes, GAL training qualifies for MCLE compliance.
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How do I get my Guardian ad Litem Certificate?
To obtain your Guardian ad Litem Certificate for a one-day webinar:
Locate the Guardian ad Litem program in your electronic classroom and click on the Certificate button
Click on Evaluation to complete the evaluation
Click on Affidavit and indicate you attended the entire training
Click on Download your Certificate to download/print or email your Certificate
On your Profile page, under Certificate Status, it will say Completed
If you attended Guardian ad Litem training as part of a multi-day conference:
Please contact us at mobarcle@mobar.org for specific instructions.
*PLEASE NOTE: Processing your credit does NOT record your hours to your MCLE report.
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What are the Training Requirements for Guardians ad Litem?
STANDARD 14.0 Training
The Standards were adopted on May 20, 2009, and revised on September 1, 2011.
The court shall not appoint a lawyer to serve as guardian ad litem until the lawyer has completed eight hours of continuing legal education devoted to guardian ad litem training. Thereafter, to continue to be appointed as a guardian ad litem, a lawyer shall complete three hours of continuing legal education devoted to guardian ad litem training annually. The hours required for guardian ad litem training qualify toward the mandatory annual 15 hours of continuing legal education.
The program sponsor shall obtain approval of the program for continuing legal education from The Missouri Bar. Any continuing legal education required by this standard shall not be completed by self study. In addition, the program sponsor shall obtain approval of the program as guardian ad litem training from the presiding judge in a circuit where the training is offered. Completion of the training hours shall be documented by an affidavit or other evidence filed with the appointing court by July 31st of each year.
Any lawyer who has completed at least six hours of guardian ad litem training within five years prior to the date of the adoption of these standards shall not be required to complete the initial eight hour course of study. Any lawyer currently approved by the court to serve as a guardian ad litem who has not completed any guardian ad litem training within five years prior to the date of the adoption of these standards shall have one year from the date of the adoption of these standards to complete the initial eight hours of training.
The judge appointing the guardian ad litem shall determine whether the lawyer has completed the required training prior to making any appointment.
Prior to appointment, the lawyer must have completed a training program in permanency planning.