Eric Bolves has been appointed in over 1500 cases throughout the State of Florida over the past 25 years.
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"My goal is to faithfully perform the duties appointed by the Court in a manner that does not cause undue delay. I respond to the Court's Order of Appointment within 24 hours of service with a final report filed within 30 days."
Eric L. Bolves, PA. 407-894-1002 Office or 407-448-6423 cell. ericbolves@thelegalcenter.com
In Florida real estate cases, an Attorney Ad Litem protects a party’s legal rights, while a Guardian Ad Litem advocates for what is in that party’s best interest—especially when the party is a minor, incapacitated, or missing.
Here’s a breakdown of their distinct roles and how they apply in real estate matters:
Attorney Ad Litem (AAL)
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Legal advocate: Appointed by the court to represent the legal interests of a person who cannot represent themselves—often a missing or unknown heir, or someone legally incapacitated.
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Common in quiet title actions: For example, if a property owner dies and heirs are unknown or cannot be located, the court may appoint an AAL to ensure those parties’ rights are protected before the title is cleared.
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Duties include:
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Investigating the whereabouts of the person they represent
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Reviewing legal documents and filings
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Making court appearances and filings on behalf of the individual
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Ensuring due process is followed
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Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)
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Best interest advocate: Appointed to represent the best interests of a minor or incapacitated person involved in a legal proceeding.
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More common in family or probate cases, but can appear in real estate matters when, for example, a minor is an heir to a property or has a stake in a real estate transaction.
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Duties include:
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Investigating the circumstances affecting the ward’s interest in the property
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Interviewing parties and reviewing records
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Making recommendations to the court about what outcome serves the ward’s best interest
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Filing reports and possibly testifying in court
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