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Guardian Ad Litem in Family Court Matters
What Does A Guardian Ad Litem Do?
If Child Protective Services (CPS) learns of alleged child abuse, they will take steps to ensure the child’s safety. These steps can include removing your child from the home before the allegations are substantiated, or proven.
A GAL becomes involved in family court matters when appointed by a family court commissioner or judge. In custody and placement disputes, the Court must determine what is in the best interests of the child in making a final order. A GAL is appointed to assist the Court in making this decision.
The GAL generally meets with both parents, meets with the child, receives input from collateral sources, and completes other investigations to determine and advocate for the outcome that would be in the child’s best interest.
The GAL must consider statutory factors to determine what is in the child’s best interest. Some of these factors include:
The wishes of the child and the parents
Relationship and interaction between the child and parents
Child’s environmental and educational needs
Availability of child care services
Whether there is a pattern or serious incident of violence between the parents
The child’s need for regularly occurring and meaningful periods of placement
Parents’ ability to support each other’s relationships with the child
Parents’ personal history including criminal record, alcohol or other drug addiction, and reports of abuse.
