GA - Augusta courts respond to complaints against guardians ad litem

FOX6 WBRC

AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) -

There's a new set of rules designed to help clear up problems in the Augusta Judicial Circuit's guardian ad litem system.

Tom Allgood, an attorney and one of the authors of the new rules and application process, said the changes started several months ago and took several re-drafts. The new rules are designed to keep a closer eye on the guardian ad litem system.

"It just got to be too cumbersome," Allgood said.

Judges making their own rules, guardians charging clients what they felt was fair, and some guardians taking on way more cases than others.

These were just some of the reasons for a 13-page comprehensive overhaul changing the guidelines and application process to become a guardian ad litem for the Augusta Judicial Circuit.

"All the judges had their own rules, and they had ways, or methods, but they each approved guardians for use or assignment in their cases individually," Allgood said. "It was just decided that we could better use this resource if we drafted some rules and guidelines that applied to every guardian assigning cases by any judge."

WFXG was the first to investigate allegations against Janet Weinberger and complaints about her billing practices.

Now, nearly six months after our story aired, new rules and bylaws are being drafted.

Full Story: FOX6 WBRC