Informal Opinion Number: 950191

QUESTION: Attorney is a guardian ad litem for a minor. Attorney has information because of Attorney´s status as guardian ad litem relating to another individual. May Attorney disclose this information? Disclosure is not necessary to perform the duties as guardian ad litem. ANSWER: Attorney has a duty to maintain confidentiality of the information which came into Attorney´s possession as guardian ad litem, unless Attorney is ordered by a court to disclose the information after the issue of confidentiality has been fully raised to the court.

Informal Opinions are ethics advisory opinions issued by the Office of Legal Ethics Counsel to members of the Bar about Rule 4 (Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 5 (Complaints and Proceedings Thereon), and Rule 6 (Fees to Practice Law) pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30(c). Written summaries of select Informal Opinions are published for informational purposes as determined by the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to Rule 5.30(c). Informal opinion summaries are advisory in nature and are not binding. These opinions are published as an educational service and do not constitute legal advice.

To request an Informal Opinion, please visit: http://mo-legal-ethics.org/for lawyers/requesting-an-informal-advisory-opinion/.

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