A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a person that can be appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child during legal proceedings. This person is meant to represent the child's independent voice in court – they aren't on either parent's "side," but rather focus solely on what's best for the child.
Here's what GALs typically do:
- Investigate the child's situation
- Talk to everyone involved in the child's life (parents, teachers, doctors, etc.)
- Visit homes where the child lives or might live
- Review school, medical, and other relevant records
- Write reports for the court with recommendations
- Appear in court to represent the child's interests
Some key points about GALs:
- Their sole focus is the child's wellbeing, not either parent's interests
- They make recommendations to the court but don't make final decisions
