§ 59.09 GUARDIANS AD LITEM (RCW 13.34.100(1))
The Supreme Court has held that "children have fundamental liberty interests at stake in termination proceedings." In re Dependency of A.E.T.H., 9 Wn. App. 2d 502, 525, 446 P.3d 667 (2019) (quoting In re Dependency of M.S.R., 174 Wn.2d 1, 20, 271 P.3d 234 (2011). A GAL or a CASA must be appointed for any child who is alleged to be dependent, unless the court finds that there is good cause not to appoint one. RCW 13.34.100(1); In re Dependency of S.M.M., 12 Wn. App. 2d 421, 426, 457 P.3d 1229 (2020). This requirement may be satisfied by the appointment of counsel for the child. "If the court fails to...
