A Washington Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child is a court order issued by a judge in Washington State that appoints an independent attorney to act as an advocate for a child or children in legal proceedings. The Court-appointed attorney, known as the Guardian ad Item (GAL), represents the child's interests and provides a voice to the child in matters such as child custody, termination of parental rights, adoption, guardianship, and other matters affecting the child. The GAL is required to investigate the child's circumstances and report to the court on the best interests of the child. There are two main types of Washington Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child: Temporary Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child and Final Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child. A Temporary Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child is an order that is issued when a child is in need of immediate protection, such as when a child is facing an imminent threat of harm. It is designed to provide short-term protection for the child while the court considers the merits of the case. A Final Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child is issued after the court has determined that a GAL should be appointed to represent the child in the case. The Final Order Appointing Guardian ad Item for a Child outlines the duties and responsibilities of the GAL and details the court's decision regarding the appointment.