Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Guide

A GAL is an attorney who is appointed by the court to represent the best interests (not wishes) of a minor child. A GAL must be appointed if a minor child has been born or conceived during the marriage and one of the parties believes the husband is not the father, or if one of the parties is seeking to substantially change the amount of time a child will spend with a parent and the other parent doesn't agree. A GAL may be appointed if there are other legal custody or physical placement issues for which the court believes need to be protected.

You may be required to pay a $2,000.00 minimum deposit before a GAL is appointed.

Either party may request that a GAL be appointed. Once the request is made, the judge reviews the request and orders the GAL at his/her discretion. The judge may also appoint a GAL even if neither party requests one.