Final answer:
A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed adult who acts on behalf of a child in legal proceedings, distinct from a legal guardian, custodial parent, or attorney.
Step-by-step explanation:
A guardian ad litem is an adult, generally appointed by the court, who will act in court on behalf of the child. This term is used to describe a person the court appoints to represent the best interests of the child in a legal proceeding.
Often the role of the guardian ad litem is to make independent evaluations and recommendations to the court about what is best for the child’s welfare.
The guardian ad litem is different from a legal guardian, who is responsible for the care and upbringing of a child, or a custodial parent, who is a biological or adoptive parent that has been granted physical and/or legal custody of a child by a court.
An attorney is a person who practices law, such as a lawyer or counsel, the latter also providing legal representation in court.