At any stage of a proceeding under this chapter, on application of any individual or on its own motion, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor or an individual with an intellectual disability who is a respondent or witness or otherwise involved in the proceeding, if the minor or an individual with an intellectual disability has no parent, guardian, or custodian appearing on behalf of the minor or the individual with an intellectual disability or the interests of those persons conflict with those of the minor or an individual with an intellectual disability. The department of health and human services shall pay the expense of the guardian ad litem fee as established by the court.
N.D.C.C. § 25-03.3-07