Does the guardian ad litem make the decision on child custody or the judge?

Parents should beware of any guardian ad litem.  He or she will make a report to the divorce case judge concerning recommendations on the child custody decision the judge will need to make.  Busy divorce court judges often simply follow the recommendations without more and simply enter the final child custody order pursuant to the guardian ad litem’s recommendations; unfair but true.  Certain inventive parents will even find under the table methods of “buying” the guardian ad litem on the sly in order to insure a positive report on their parenting skills; money and politics rule outside a courtroom with a guardian ad litem. 

What is a Guardian Ad Litem

A guardian ad litem is usually an attorney that the divorce case judge picks off a list of attorneys that have requested to be appointed as guardian ad litems.  It is a great way for a lawyer to run up a huge legal bill while providing extremely meager amounts of actual work.  Battling parents will be responsible to pay his bill and he will run up billable hours for driving to the courthouse and parents will have to pay him.  The guardian ad litem will investigate allegations of parental abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and similar custody battle allegations by asking the neighbors or employers personal questions about the family.  Then he will make up a report to give to the divorce case judge that appointed him or her.  That report, made with little experience or genuine knowledge can destroy lives by providing a judicial result that gives child custody to an undeserving parent based on nothing more than gossip.

Getting Legal Help

It is important to get help before dealing with a guardian ad litem in any child custody battle.  Don’t wait until this individual destroys your future relationships with your children.  Get legal assistance to protect your rights and interests by contacting an experienced divorce attorney right away.