(a) The clerk may appoint a volunteer guardian ad litem, if available, to represent the best interests of the minor child or incompetent adult and, where appropriate, express the wishes of the minor child or incompetent adult.

(b) The duties of the guardian ad litem, when appointed, shall be to make an investigation to determine the facts, the needs of the minor child or incompetent adult and the available resources within the family to meet those needs, and to protect and promote the best interests of the minor child or incompetent adult until formally relieved of the responsibility by the clerk.

(c) The court may order the guardian ad litem to conduct an investigation to determine the fitness of the intended standby guardian and alternate standby guardian, if any, to perform the duties of standby guardian. (1995, c. 313, s. 1; 2015-205, s. 1.)