Guardian Ad Litem

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a court-appointed person who advocates for a child's best interests in legal proceedings. The GAL does not represent the mother or the father.  The GAL's responsibility is to make a recommendation to the court for the best interest of the child or children. 

Their responsibilities could include:

✔ Investigating: Conducts independent investigation, which may include interviewing people, reviewing records, and observing the child and their family.

✔ Making recommendations: Provides recommendations to the court based on their investigation.

✔ Being neutral: They act as a neutral investigator for the court, separate from the other parties involved in the case.