A guardian ad litem is an attorney that a court can appoint to represent the best interests of a child. These attorneys can be lawyers, social workers, mental health professionals or other types of people that have been specifically trained to act as a guardian ad litem in family law cases.
Guardian ad litems are an important part of the family law process because they can provide a critical perspective on the child’s situation that may not otherwise be seen in the proceedings. In some cases, a guardian ad Litem can even make recommendations about custody and visitation.
What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
A GAL’s duties are to investigate the case and to represent the best interest of the child. This includes interviewing the children and their parents, investigating any possible issues such as home abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism or incarceration that can affect the child’s welfare and making recommendations to the court about what is in the child’s best interest.
The role of a guardian ad litem can be very complicated and may include interviewing witnesses, taking photos or videos, and even visiting the child’s home. It is very important for parents to communicate with the guardian ad litem and to work with them to ensure that they are looking out for their children’s best interests.
How Do I Prepare for a Guardian Ad Litem?
A guardian ad litem can be a great asset to any parent that is involved in family law litigation. They are a neutral party that is not involved in the legal proceedings and can therefore offer a fresh perspective on the situation. They can also help parents to better understand the nuances of the laws and the roles they play.
They can be helpful in reducing the amount of time that the parents spend fighting each other over the details of the case. They can even assist in making recommendations about custody and visitation that both parties will be able to agree to.
What are the costs of a GAL?
A court-appointed guardian ad litem’s fee is paid by the state, which sets it at a sliding scale that takes into consideration the combined gross income of both parents. This means that even if the parents’ combined income is low, the cost of a guardian ad Litem is still reasonable.
What are the reasons a judge may appoint a guardian ad litum?
If the judge finds that a guardian ad lithum is necessary to protect the interest of the child, the judge will usually appoint one. In some situations, the judge may limit the scope of the guardian ad litem’s appointment and suggest that an attorney-advocate-advisor (AMC) be appointed to represent the child’s actual legal interest in the case.
Guardians ad litems are an essential component of any family law case. They can be helpful in reducing the amount or time that the parents spend fighting each other over custody and visitation. They can even assist in making recommendations about whether the child should live with either parent or if they should live with both parents permanently.
