Ad Litem legal definition of Ad Litem. Ad Litem synonyms by the Free Online Law Dictionary.

[Latin, For the suit; for the purposes of the suit; pending the suit.] A Guardian Ad Litem is a guardian appointed to prosecute or defend a suit on behalf of a party who is legally incapable of doing so, such as an infant or an insane person.

ad litem adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the legal action only." Most often the term applies to a parent who files a lawsuit for his or her minor child as "guardian at litem" (guardian just for the purposes of the lawsuit) or for a person who is incompetent. Either at the time the lawsuit is filed or shortly thereafter, the parent petitions the court to allow him/her to be guardian ad litem, which is brought ex parte (without a noticed hearing) and is almost always granted. A person acting ad litem has the responsibility to pursue the lawsuit and to account for the money recovered for damages. If a child in such a lawsuit reaches majority (18 in most states) while the suit is pending, the ad litem guardianship terminates and the "new" adult can run his/her own lawsuit. Some courts require an order terminating the guardianship ad litem upon proof of coming of age. (See: guardian ad litem)

? References in periodicals archive
The mother of Adam London began a suit ad litem for her son against the physician who performed the circumcision and the medical facility where it was performed. An examination of legal and ethical issues surrounding male ... by Bouclin, Suzanne / International Journal of Men's Health Jay Wolfson's Guardian Ad Litem report, where he describes how "Michael's attitude and perspective about Theresa's condition changed" when he realized he would never get back the vibrant wife he once had. Saving Terri by The Weekly Standard On October 7, 2003, the judge ruled that Paz's statements, through the recollection of the court appointed guardian, ad litem (for purposes of the suit) can be used, though the court had not determined other issues, such as relevancy. Hiding in plain sight: a peek into the Witness Security Program by Kash, Douglas A. / The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin More results

References in periodicals archive

The mother of Adam London began a suit ad litem for her son against the physician who performed the circumcision and the medical facility where it was performed.

An examination of legal and ethical issues surrounding male ... by Bouclin, Suzanne / International Journal of Men's Health

Jay Wolfson's Guardian Ad Litem report, where he describes how "Michael's attitude and perspective about Theresa's condition changed" when he realized he would never get back the vibrant wife he once had.

Saving Terri by The Weekly Standard

On October 7, 2003, the judge ruled that Paz's statements, through the recollection of the court appointed guardian, ad litem (for purposes of the suit) can be used, though the court had not determined other issues, such as relevancy.

Hiding in plain sight: a peek into the Witness Security Program by Kash, Douglas A. / The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin

More results