The short version
Georgia law gives every child in a dependency case two guaranteed voices: an attorney and a guardian ad litem. The court must appoint an attorney for an alleged dependent child — a right the child can't waive O.C.G.A. §15-11-103 · Jul 2, 2026 — and must appoint a guardian ad litem for that child O.C.G.A. §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026.
The confusion comes from two twists. First, the same lawyer can hold both jobs — the child's attorney may also serve as guardian ad litem, unless or until the child's wishes and the attorney's view of the child's best interests conflict; then the court splits the roles O.C.G.A. §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026. Second, in Georgia the guardian ad litem is very often not a lawyer at all but a CASA volunteer — the statute directs courts to appoint a CASA to act as guardian ad litem "whenever possible" O.C.G.A. §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026.
The single distinction worth memorizing: the attorney argues for what the child says they want (expressed wishes — a real attorney-client relationship); the GAL and CASA argue for what's best for the child (best interests), even when the child disagrees.
Not legal advice
This page summarizes Georgia's juvenile code in plain language. It is not legal advice, and Foster411 can't tell you how the roles are staffed in your county. For your specific case, ask the child's case manager who has been appointed, or consult an attorney.
Side by side
| CASA volunteer | Guardian ad litem (GAL) | Child's attorney | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A screened, trained community volunteer from a local CASA program | A role, not a job title — whoever the court appoints to advocate for best interests | A licensed lawyer with a true attorney-client relationship with the child |
| Who appoints | The juvenile court judge, who also swears them in §15-11-106 · Jul 2, 2026 | The court — mandatory for an alleged dependent child §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026 | The court — mandatory, at all stages, can't be waived §15-11-103 · Jul 2, 2026 |
| Advocates for | The child's best interests §15-11-106 · Jul 2, 2026 | The child's best interests, considering the child's wishes §15-11-105 · Jul 2, 2026 | The child's expressed wishes — normal lawyer-client duties §15-11-103 · Jul 2, 2026 |
| A lawyer? | No (and can't give legal advice) | Sometimes — may be the child's attorney, a CASA, or another appointee | Yes, always |
| Visits your home? | Yes — expect regular visits (see GAL duties) | Yes — must keep "regular and sufficient in-person contact with the child" §15-11-105 · Jul 2, 2026 | Meets with the child; whether that happens in your home varies by circuit |
| Reports to the judge? | Yes — carries the GAL reporting duties when appointed as GAL §15-11-106 · Jul 2, 2026 | Yes — written reports with placement recommendations §15-11-105 · Jul 2, 2026 | Argues the child's position in court rather than filing a best-interests report |
One person can occupy two columns: an attorney serving as GAL, or a CASA serving as GAL. A CASA can also be appointed in addition to an attorney who is serving as GAL §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026.
The CASA volunteer
A Court Appointed Special Advocate is a community volunteer — screened, trained, appointed, and sworn in by a juvenile court judge for a specific child's case O.C.G.A. §15-11-106 · Jul 2, 2026. Georgia CASA supports 47 affiliate programs covering all 159 counties and all 51 judicial circuits; in fiscal year 2025, 2,660 CASA volunteers served 8,167 children gacasa.org · Jul 2, 2026.
When a CASA is appointed, they usually are the guardian ad litem — the appointment order gives them the GAL's duties, rights, and responsibilities §15-11-106 · Jul 2, 2026. So expect what the GAL duties require: visits with the child in your home, independent fact-gathering (school, medical, therapy), attendance at every hearing, and written reports to the judge with placement recommendations.
What to share with them: the everyday texture the case file misses — sleep, school, meltdowns and wins, sibling visits, how the child talks about family. CASAs often have the smallest caseloads of anyone on the case and the most time to listen. What they can't do for you: they don't represent you, can't give you legal advice, can't approve or block a placement move themselves, and won't carry your grievances about DFCS — their one job is the child's best interests. For advocacy for you, see the grievance guide and AFPAG (1-877-804-6610).
The guardian ad litem
"Guardian ad litem" is Latin for "guardian for the lawsuit" — it's a role the court fills, not a profession. The court must appoint one for an alleged dependent child O.C.G.A. §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026, and the seat can be filled by the child's attorney (wearing both hats), by a CASA, or by another appointee. Georgia's statute tells courts to appoint a CASA as GAL whenever possible §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026.
Whoever holds the role, the duties are the same: advocate for the child's best interests — weighing safety, attachments, community ties, need for permanence, and the child's own wishes — maintain regular in-person contact with the child, run an independent assessment of the facts, review educational, medical, and psychological records, attend all hearings, and file written reports with recommendations. The GAL should also contact the child before any proposed placement change O.C.G.A. §15-11-105 · Jul 2, 2026. That last duty is worth knowing: if a move is being discussed, the GAL is supposed to be in the loop — and is a legitimate person to alert if they aren't.
For you as a foster parent: the GAL's report is one of the most-read documents on the judge's bench. Your observations reach the court largely through it, so treat GAL visits as your channel, not an inspection. The GAL doesn't represent you either — but a well-informed GAL is the closest thing your household's daily reality has to a courtroom microphone.
The child's attorney
Every child in a Georgia dependency proceeding has the right to an attorney at all stages, the court must appoint one for an alleged dependent child (and for youth receiving extended care services), and neither the child nor anyone speaking for the child can waive it O.C.G.A. §15-11-103 · Jul 2, 2026. This is a real attorney-client relationship: the lawyer owes the child the same duties any lawyer owes a client §15-11-103 · Jul 2, 2026 — confidentiality included. That means the attorney argues for what the child says they want, even if every adult in the room disagrees.
The attorney may double as GAL — until the child's wishes and the attorney's view of the child's best interests collide. At that point the dual role ends and the court appoints a separate guardian ad litem O.C.G.A. §15-11-104 · Jul 2, 2026. If you notice a new GAL appear mid-case, that split is often why.
What to share with them: facts, logistics, and anything the child has asked you to pass along — but remember their client is the child, not you. Don't expect them to report back to you; attorney-client confidentiality runs to a seven-year-old the same as to an adult. What they can't do for you: represent you, advise you on your own rights, or share what the child told them.
Who actually shows up varies by circuit — unverified locally
How the child's-attorney seat is staffed differs across Georgia's judicial circuits: some counties run dedicated child-attorney offices, others appoint from panels of private lawyers. We haven't verified the arrangement circuit by circuit, so ask the case manager who is appointed in your child's case — it should be named in the court order.
Which one do I call when…
Practice framing, not policy — the statutes don't assign a hotline. This is how the division of labor tends to work:
- The child told me something the judge should hear before the next hearing.Tell the case manager (always), then the CASA/GAL — getting facts like this in front of the judge via the written report is exactly their job.
- The child disagrees with the case plan and wants the judge to know.The child's attorney. Expressed wishes are their entire mandate — help the child reach their own lawyer.
- A placement change is being floated and it feels wrong for the child.The GAL/CASA — they're supposed to be contacted before a proposed move and their recommendation carries weight. The child's attorney should know too, especially if the child objects.
- School is stonewalling on an evaluation or the child keeps getting suspended.Raise it with the CASA/GAL, who reviews educational records and can push it into the report and recommendations.
- I'm not being told about hearings, or I want to speak in court myself.None of these three — they speak for the child, not for you. See your voice in court for the foster parent's own notice-and-be-heard rights.
- I have a complaint about how DFCS is treating my family.Also not these three. Start with the grievance process and the AFPAG advocacy line, 1-877-804-6610.
- I don't know whether this child even has a CASA.Ask the case manager, or check the court's appointment orders. If there isn't one, see below.
Not every child has a CASA
The attorney and the GAL are guaranteed by statute; the CASA is not — a judge appoints one on determining the child needs one O.C.G.A. §15-11-106 · Jul 2, 2026, and volunteer supply is the real constraint. Georgia's 2,660 volunteers served 8,167 children in FY2025 — a fraction of the children in care — and CASA reports that nationally roughly 60% more children in foster care need a volunteer than have one gacasa.org · Jul 2, 2026.
Asking for one: there's no form for foster parents to file — appointment comes from the judge. In practice, raise it with the case manager and the child's attorney, who can ask the court, or contact the CASA program serving your county (find it through gacasa.org). We haven't found a published statewide request procedure; if your local program tells you one exists, let us know and we'll document it.
Becoming a CASA yourself
If you have court dates on your calendar anyway, you already understand half the job. CASA volunteers must be 21 or older, complete 30 hours of training plus 10 hours of court observation, and pass a background check gacasa.org · Jul 2, 2026 — and with programs in all 159 counties, there is a program wherever you live. Note that you generally wouldn't serve as CASA on your own placement's case — the role is an independent set of eyes. Start at gacasa.org/become-a-volunteer, and see the other rungs on the ways-to-help ladder.
Sources & verification
- O.C.G.A. §15-11-103 — child's right to an attorney; attorney-client duties; no waivercodes.findlaw.com Jul 2, 2026
- O.C.G.A. §15-11-104 — GAL appointment; attorney-as-GAL conflict rule; CASA as GAL "whenever possible"codes.findlaw.com Jul 2, 2026
- O.C.G.A. §15-11-105 — GAL best-interests duties, in-person contact, reportscodes.findlaw.com Jul 2, 2026
- O.C.G.A. §15-11-106 — CASA appointment, swearing-in, role, dischargecodes.findlaw.com Jul 2, 2026
- Georgia CASA — coverage (47 programs, 159 counties, 51 circuits), FY2025 volunteers & children servedgacasa.org Jul 2, 2026
- Georgia CASA — volunteer requirements (21+, 30 hrs training, 10 hrs court observation)gacasa.org Jul 2, 2026
Statute text was verified against the Georgia Code as republished by FindLaw (current through 2024 amendments there); the juvenile code is amended most years, so confirm current text before relying on it. This page is plain-language summary, not legal advice.