Rule 48.06 - Guardian ad Litem Reports(A)General report requirements(1) A guardian ad litem shall prepare a written final report, including recommendations to the court, within the times set forth in this division. The report shall affirmatively state that responsibilities have been met and shall detail the activities performed, hearings attended, persons interviewed, documents reviewed, experts consulted, and all other relevant information considered by the guardian ad litem in reaching the recommendations and in accomplishing the duties required by statute, by court rule, and in the order of appointment from the court.(2) All reports shall include the following warning: "The guardian ad litem report shall be provided to the court, unrepresented parties, and legal counsel. Any other disclosure of the report must be approved in advance by the court. Unauthorized disclosure of the report may be subject to court action, including the penalties for contempt, which include fine and/or incarceration."(3) Oral and written reports shall address relevant issues, but shall not be considered determinative.(4) A guardian ad litem shall be available to testify at any relevant hearing and may orally supplement the report at the conclusion of the hearing.(5) A guardian ad litem may provide an interim written or oral report at any time(B)Guardian ad litem reports in abuse, neglect, dependency, unruly, and delinquency reports(1) A guardian ad litem in abuse, neglect, dependency, unruly, and delinquency cases and actions to terminate parental rights shall provide a written report to the court unrepresented parties, and legal counsel not less than seven days prior to any initial dispositional hearing, permanent custody hearing, and any hearing upon a motion requesting a change in disposition. The court may alter the seven-day period as may be necessary for the administrative of justice.(2) A court shall review all guardian ad litem reports, written or oral, to ensure that the guard ad litem has performed those responsibilities required by R.C. 2151.281.(C)Guardian ad litem reports in allocation of parental rights and responsibilities cases(1) A guardian ad litem in proceedings involving the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, custody, and visitation shall provide a report to the court, unrepresented parties, and legal counsel not less than seven days before the final hearing date, unless the due date is modified by the court.(2) The court shall consider the recommendation of the guardian ad litem in determining the best interest of the child only when the report or a portion of the report has been admitted as an exhibit.Ohio. R. Superi. Ct. 48.06
Adopted August 18, 2020, effective 1/1/2021; amended March 8, 2022, effective 7/1/2022.