Advisory Opinion: 1397

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s): RPC 4.5(b)

Subject: Ex parte contacts with guardian ad litem during a dissolution case

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the propriety of ex parte contacts with a guardian ad litem during a pending divorce case. The Committee was of the opinion that unless the guardian ad litem were represented by counsel or unless the court ordered otherwise, nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit you from ex parte communications with the guardian ad litem.

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.