What are the legal rights of a child in a guardianship or adoption case?

In Washington, children who are involved in guardianship or adoption cases have certain legal rights. These rights include having access to independent legal counsel, the right to be notified and serve notice of a hearing, the right to present evidence, the right to cross-examine witnesses, and the right to appeal a decision. Children in guardianship or adoption cases also have the right to present their own opinion, although their opinion will not necessarily be determinative of the outcome of the case. Children may also be represented by a guardian ad litem (GAL) if the court finds it necessary. A GAL is an attorney appointed by the court for the specific purpose of representing the best interests of the child. Children also have the right to be informed of the process, to be informed of any charges or allegations being made, to review all documents and evidence presented, and to be present at all hearings, unless the court finds it in the child’s best interest to be excluded. Finally, children have the right to challenge the legality of a guardianship or adoption order in court. This includes challenging the legality of the guardianship or adoption itself and/or the specific provisions or conditions within the order.

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What are the legal rights of a child in a guardianship or adoption case?

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