ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Court appointment

When there are big problems or disagreements that need to be sorted out, we go to a special place called a court. There are special people in the court called judges who help make decisions about the problems. Sometimes, if adults are having a hard time figuring things out, the judge might ask someone else to help make decisions. This person is called a court-appointed official.

For example, if there is a fight between mom and dad and they cannot agree on who gets to take care of the kids, the judge might ask a court-appointed official, also called a guardian ad litem, to help. The guardian ad litem will talk to the parents, the kids, and anyone else who might know about the situation. They try to figure out what is best for the kids and then tell the judge.

Another example is when someone has trouble taking care of their own money or making big decisions, like where to live. The judge might ask a court-appointed official, also called a guardian or conservator, to help out. This person will make sure the person's money is safe and help them make good choices.

Overall, a court appointment means that someone has been asked to help the judge make decisions about a problem that is too big for the adults involved to figure out on their own.