Understanding GAL vs CASA roles is the first step toward finding the right way to serve. Terminology in child advocacy varies significantly by state. This guide explains the most common usages — check your state's page for how these terms are used in your jurisdiction.
Why the Confusion Exists
"Guardian ad litem," "CASA," and "attorney ad litem" describe overlapping roles that different states assemble in different ways. The same job title can mean a volunteer in one state and a licensed attorney in the next. Understanding the distinctions matters for volunteers, for families navigating the system, and for professionals working across state lines.
Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
"Guardian ad litem" is Latin for "guardian for the lawsuit." It is the broadest of the three terms: a person appointed by a court to represent the best interests of someone who cannot represent themselves — usually a child, sometimes an incapacitated adult. The key feature is the best-interest standard: a GAL recommends what they conclude is best for the child, even when that differs from what the child says they want.
Depending on the state, a GAL may be a trained volunteer, a staff social worker, or an attorney. The appointment is case-specific and ends when the case closes. A GAL is not a legal guardian — the role carries no custody and no authority over the child's daily life.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
CASA refers to trained community volunteers who advocate for children in dependency (abuse and neglect) cases, supported by a network of local nonprofit programs. In many states, CASA volunteers are the GALs — the court appoints them in the GAL role, and the terms are used interchangeably. In other states, CASA volunteers serve alongside an attorney GAL, contributing the deep, single-case knowledge that comes from monthly contact with the child while the attorney handles the legal work.
The practical signature of the CASA model: one or two cases per volunteer, monthly in-person contact with the child, and independent reports to the court. Judges consistently cite CASA/GAL reports as among the most detailed, current information they receive about a child.
Attorney ad Litem (AAL)
An attorney ad litem is a licensed lawyer appointed to represent a party in a specific case. The critical distinction is the standard of representation: in most states an AAL for a child provides client-directed representation — advocating for what the child wants, just as a lawyer would for an adult client — rather than what the attorney believes is best.
This means a child's case can include both an AAL arguing the child's expressed wishes ("I want to go home") and a GAL recommending the child's best interests ("home is not yet safe"). Courts value hearing both, especially for older children whose own voice deserves independent legal weight.
Side by Side
| Dimension | GAL | CASA | Attorney ad Litem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Best interests | Best interests | Child's expressed wishes (most states) |
| Who serves | Volunteer, social worker, or attorney (varies by state) | Trained community volunteer | Licensed attorney |
| Typical caseload | Varies widely | 1–2 cases | Often substantial |
| Core output | Investigation and court report | Investigation and court report | Legal representation and argument |
| Appointed by | Judge | Judge | Judge |
How States Combine These Roles
Three common models:
- Volunteer-as-GAL model. The trained volunteer is appointed as the GAL, usually backed by a program staff attorney who handles legal filings. North Carolina's statewide GAL program is a well-known example of volunteer-attorney teams.
- Attorney-GAL model. The GAL must be an attorney; volunteers, where present, serve as CASAs supplementing the attorney's work.
- Dual-appointment model. The child receives both a best-interest advocate (GAL/CASA) and a client-directed attorney (AAL), particularly for older youth or when wishes and welfare diverge.
Family-law cases (custody disputes) add further variation: many states appoint GALs in high-conflict custody matters under different statutes and compensation rules than dependency cases.
What This Means for You
Prospective volunteers: the program in your county will tell you which model applies — the day-to-day volunteer work (visit the child, gather facts, report to the court) is similar across models.
Parents and relatives: if a GAL or CASA is appointed to your case, they are not your adversary and not the state's agent. Their report reflects what they observe. Engaging openly with them is almost always in your interest.
Professionals: when reading our state pages, note each state's statutory definitions — the same word can carry materially different duties one state line away.