In re L.B.

I must respectfully dissent from the majority opinion.

"[T]he appointment of a guardian ad litem will divest the parent of their fundamental right to conduct his or her litigation according to their own judgment and inclination." In re J.A.A., 175 N.C.App. 66, 71, 623 S.E.2d 45, 48-49 (2005) (citation omitted). The effect of the majority opinion in this matter is to convert guardians ad litem appointed for parents under N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7B-1101.1 into nothing more than glorified hand-holders during termination of parental rights proceedings. I do not believe that this was the intent of the…