After a divorce, parents may struggle to stay calm and respectful, even when they both care about their child. In situations like this, a neutral third person can help keep the focus on what your child needs most.
What a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) does?
A Guardian ad Litem, or GAL, acts as a legal representative for your child during a custody dispute. In Missouri, a judge can appoint a GAL to investigate what is happening in your child’s life and then recommend what will best support your child. To do that, a GAL will:
- Interviews parents, children, teachers, therapists, and other important adults
- Review school and other records
- Watches how parents and children interact
As a mandatory duty, they are tasked to do home visits and face-to-face meetings to enforce the investigative process. Overall, the GAL gathers facts and speaks up for your child’s needs.
Why a GAL is not your personal attorney?
Some parents assume the GAL will “take their side.” However, the GAL does not represent you and instead will always adhere to your child’s best interests. Because of that:
- You cannot control what the GAL investigates
- You cannot tell the GAL what to recommend
- The GAL aims to stay fair and objective
As a result, the GAL can notice serious problems—like parental alienation—without automatically believing either parent.
Can a GAL help in alienation situations?
If you believe the other parent is harming your relationship with your child, a GAL can look into it more closely. For example, the GAL may watch for manipulation, false accusations, or efforts to turn your child against you. A GAL may notice signs such as:
- Sudden, unexplained changes in how your child treats you
- “Coached” or scripted answers from your child
- One parent repeatedly undermining the other parent’s authority
- A child knowing adult-level details about court or conflict that do not fit their age
Then, the GAL can share these concerns with the judge, and that information can matter a lot in court.
How to work well with the GAL process
When a GAL comes into play, you should be honest about what is important – your child’s best interest. Putting forward this intent, you show that you care about your child’s well-being and not about “winning.”
Also, keep cost and timing in mind. Missouri courts require an initial deposit and may grow significantly with high-conflict cases. Additionally, the GAL must meet both parents or guardians and the child within 21 days of appointment with the entire case taking months to sort out.
Protecting what matters most
Even though a marriage may end, your child still needs strong, healthy relationships with both parents whenever possible. In difficult custody situations, having a GAL can empower your child and give them someone who is willing to fight for them without an ulterior motive. And ultimately, having your own legal support can help you take on the tasks and requirements of the court in order to keep your relationship with your child.
