Michael Discusses Guardian ad Litem

A Guardian ad Litem is an attorney appointed to represent the best interest of the child.  The Guardian will do an independent investigation and report back to the Court what is in the child’s best interest.  The Guardian will come to your home, and see you with the child.  They will go to the other party’s home and see them with the child.  The Guardian will speak with the child alone.  The Guardian may want to talk to other, collateral sources as well, like teachers, doctors, or other people important to the child.

A Guardian investigation can be very intrusive into your life, but it is also very intrusive into the life of the other parent.  A Guardian can also uncover facts and allegations that are difficult and sometimes impossible to uncover through ordinary discovery means.  There are a lot of times it makes sense to ask for a Guardian to be appointed, but there are other times that it doesn’t make sense.  You should review the positives and negatives with your attorney before asking for a Guardian ad Litem for your child.