Published hourly rates for Guardian ad Litem appointees on the King County registry run from $150 to $350 per hour, with retainers commonly required before work begins. Figures below come from court registries and appointee disclosures, verified April 2, 2026.
Courts typically allocate Guardian ad Litem fees between the parties, sometimes unevenly, and may order a deposit before the investigation starts. Indigent parties may qualify for a court-funded appointment where the county maintains a fund.
Hours are driven by collateral contacts, records review, home visits, and the length of the report. High-conflict matters and relocation cases run longer.
See the county registry index for the median published rate in each county, and the King County directory for per-appointee rates.