A Guardian Ad Litem May Help

If you and the other side simply can’t agree on a parenting plan, or if your case involves allegations of drug use, abuse, and/or domestic violence, your case might benefit from the services of a guardian ad litem (“GAL”). 

A GAL is a third-party professional who represents the child.  GALs are typically social workers, attorneys, or volunteers with the CASA program.  To be on the GAL registry of your county, the GAL must take an extensive training course and keep her certification and training current.

Typically the GAL will send you and the other side a questionnaire, complete a home visit to each home, interview you, interview collateral witnesses provided by each side, review any psychological evaluations or other relevant documents, and then make recommendations to the court regarding a parenting plan. 

The GAL can also recommend treatment, for example, alcohol counseling, for either or both of the parties and therapy for the child.  The courts take these recommendations very seriously. 

You need to be very polite and responsive to all inquiries from the GAL.  You also need to consult with your lawyer before talking to the GAL.  A GAL can get it right, but he can also get it wrong.  The GAL report and testimony is probably the single-most important piece of evidence in your case.