If the owner of the lands or other party interested therein is an infant or is of unsound mind, the probate court, on the day appointed for the hearing, must appoint a guardian ad litem to represent him, and the guardian so appointed must file a written acceptance of the appointment, must appear and protect the rights and interests of such infant or person of unsound mind, and, if he deems it necessary, may employ counsel to assist him. The compensation of such guardian and of his counsel must be ascertained by the probate court and taxed as costs of the proceedings.
Ala. Code § 18-1A-275 (1975)