Ouida Dest
In attempting to help the Family Court in certain cases, Ouida Dest may be appointed to be a guardian ad litem for your case. When parties are engaged in a custody dispute, it is very common for the court to order ask for a Guardian to represent the best interest of the children. Ouida has been through the training to be a guardian for the Family Court in South Carolina and has 28 years experience handling various cases in Family Court.
In South Carolina, when the court decides a guardian ad litem is needed on a case, the Judge will issue an order appointing the guardian. Sometimes this occurs early in the divorce process, often at a temporary hearing if custody or visitation is contested. In other cases, the attorneys recognize that a guardian ad litem is required, so the parties consent to the appointment of a guardian ad litem.
If Ouida is appointed as the guardian ad litem on your case, she will also participate in court hearings and in the merits trial.
The role of the guardian ad litem is very important: it keeps the focus on the children in a custody case or any family court dispute. The guardian is not on either side but the guardian is committed to the best interest of your child or children.