HRS §551-2
Court-appointed guardians and next friends for minors
This section lets courts appoint a guardian to protect a minor's or unborn person's interests in a court case, or allow someone to act as a minor's next friend to start or defend a lawsuit. In divorce, annulment, or separation cases, a minor spouse can sue or be sued on their own, except for annulment based on being underage.
everyone
The statute, as written — Guardian ad litem; next friend; appointment
Nothing in this chapter impairs or affects the power of any court to appoint a guardian to defend the interests of any minor or person not in being impleaded in such court, or interested in any matter there pending, or its power to appoint or allow any person as next friend for a minor, to commence, prosecute, or defend any action or proceeding in the minor's behalf; provided that in all proceedings for annulment, divorce, or separation, except in the case of annulment on the ground of nonage, either spouse, although a minor, may sue or be sued in the minor's name without a guardian or next friend. [CC 1859, §1349; am L 1903, c 16, §2; RL 1925, §3070; RL 1935, §4857; RL 1945, §12507; am L 1947, c 78, §1; RL 1955, §338-8; HRS §551-2; am L 1972, c 145, §1(f); gen ch 1985]
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